tihvavy  of  trhe  ^theological  ^tminavy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


£ 


^^^.o.  w  nvH\ 


RULES  OF  DISCIPLINE 


or  THE 


YEARLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 

HELD- 

IN  PHILADELPHIA. 
PRINTED  BY  DIRECTION  OF  THE  MEETING. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  BY  KIMBER,  CONRAD,  Zi  CO. 
^      .» 

1806. 


INTRODUCTION, 


AS  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  in  these  latter 
days,  by  his  spirit  and  power,  to  gather  a  peo- 
ple to  himself;  and,  releasing  them  from  the  im- 
positions and  teachings  of  men,  to  inspire  them 
with  degrees  of  the  same  universal  love  and 
good  will  by  which  the  dispensation  of  the  gos- 
pel was  ushered  in,  these  have  been  engaged  to 
meet  together  for  the  worship  of  God  in  Spi- 
rit, according  to  the  direction  of  the  holy  Law- 
giver ;  as  also  for  the  exercise  of  a  tender 
care  over  each  other,  that  all  may  be  preserved 
in  unity  of  faith  and  practice,  answerable  to  the 
description  which  He  the  ever-blessed  Shepherd 
gave  of  his  flock  "  by  this  shall  all  men  knovv^ 
that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to 
another.'^     John  xiii.  35. 

For  this  important  end,  and  as  an  exterior 
hedge  of  preservation  to  us,  against  the  many, 
temptations  and  dangers,  to  which  our  situation 
in  this  w^orld  exposes  us,  the  following  rules 
have  been  occasionally  adopted  by  the  society, 
and  now  form  our  code  of  discipline.     In  the 


INTRODUCTION. 

exercise  whereof  it  is  to  be  observed  that,  if 
any  member  be  found  in  a  conduct  subversive 
of  its  order,  or  repugnant  to  the  testimonies 
which  we  believe  we  are  intrusted  with  for  the 
])romotion  of  truth  in  the  earth,  it  becomes 
our  indispensable  duty  to  treat  with  such,  in 
meekness  and  brotherly  compassion,  without 
unnecessary  delay  or  improper  exposure  ;  ac- 
cording to  the  direction  of  our  Lord  to  his 
church  '' if  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault,  between  thee  and 
him  alone  :  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast 
gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that 
in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses,  every 
word  may  be  established.  And  if  he  shall  ne- 
glect to  hear  them,  tell  it  to  the  church  ;  but  if 
he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto 
thee  as  a  heathen-man  and  a  publican.'^  Matt. 
chap,  xviii.  15,  16,  17. 

This  is  the  extent  of  the  society's  censure 
against  irreclaimable  oitenders,  they  are  dis- 
owned as  mem^bers  of  our  religious  community; 
which  is  recommended  to  be  done  in  such  a  dis- 
position of  mind,  as  may  convince  them,  that 
we  sincerely  desire  their  recovery  andg'estora- 
tion,  *'  considering  ourselves,  lest  we  also  be 
tempted."     Gal.  vi.    1. 

For  the  more  regular  and  effectual  support 
of  this  order  of  the  society,   beside  the  usual 


INTRODUCTION. 

meetings  for  the  purpose  of  Divine  worship, 
others  are  instituted  subordinate  to  each  other  ; 
such  as  First,  Preparative  meetings,  which 
cmomonly  consist  of  the  members  of  a  meeting 
for  worship  ;  Second.  Monthly  meetings,  each  of 
which  commonly  consits  of  several  preparative 
meetings  ;  Third,  Quarterly  meetings,  each  of 
which  consists  of  several  of  the  monthly  meet- 
ings ;  and  Fourth^  the  yearly  meeting  ^  which 
comprises  the  whole. 

These  meetings  have  all  distinct  allotments 
of  service ;  and  as  experience  shews  that  when 
this  service  is  attended  to  in  uprightness  and 
dedication  of  heart,  with  a  single  eye  to  the 
honour  of  our  Holy  Head,  and  the  help  and  edi- 
fication one  of  another,  in  the  love  wherewith 
he  has  loved  us,  our  assemblies  are  often  fa- 
voured with  his  aid  and  direction  ;  Friends  are 
aflfectionately  desired  and  exhorted,  to  be  dili- 
gent in  the  attendance  of  them  ;  and  when  met, 
humbly  seek  to  be  clothed  with  the  spirit  of 
W'isdom  and  charity ;  this  will  divest  the  mind 
of  a  dependance  on  our  own  strength  and  abili- 
ties, endue  us  with  patience  and  condescension 
towards  each  other  ;  and  being  preserved  in  fel- 
lowship agreeably  to  our  Lords  declaration, 
*'  One  is  your  master,  even  Christ,  and  all  ye  are 
brethren,"  a  qualification  will  be  experienced  in 

*  In  the  society  there  are  seven  such  yearly  meeting's,  viz,  one  in 
Great  Britain,  and  six  on  the  American  continent. 


v:% 


H 


INTRODUCTION. 

our  several  stations  and  movements  to  build  up 
one  another  in  that  faith  which  works  by  love 
to  the  purifying  of  the  heart. 

So  may  we  be  living  members  of  the  Church- 
militant  on  earth  ;  and  inhabitants  of  that  city 
which  hath  foundations,  whose  maker  and 
builder  the  Lord  is  ;  knowing  indeed  with  ex- 
ceeding joy  that  great  is  He  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel  in  the  midst  of  her. 


APPEALS 


IF  any  person  be  dissatisfied  widi,  or  think 
themselves    aggrieved   by    the   judgment    of  a 
monthly  meeting,  they  may,    after   a  copy  of 
the  testimony  is  delivered  to  them,  notify  the   pe°aiingtobe 
first  or  second  meeting  (but  no  other)   of  their  flontiiiy  meet- 
intention    of  appeaUng    to   the  ensuing    quar-   '"^* 
terly  meeting  :   which  noiification  the   months 
ly  meeting  should  enter  on   its  minutes,   and 
appoint  four  or  more   Friends,    to  attend  the  J^e^Jj^nJ^iV^ 
quarterly  meeting  with  that,  and  copies  of  the  ^^^^^[^"^^^0^^^ 
minutes  of  the  mens  or  womens  meetinq;,   rela-   tend  the  quav- 

^  terly  meeiing 

tive  to  the  case,  signed  by  the  clerk,  or  clerks,  thereon. 
there  to  show  the  reasons  whereon  that  judgm.ent 
was  founded,  and  submitting  it  to  the  said  meet- 
ing.    The  quarterly  meeting  is  then  to  refer  the  committee  of 
same  to  a  solid  committee  of  Friends  (omitting  meemg^Tp-^ 
those  of  the  monthly  meeting  from  which  the  ap- 
peal comes)  and  to  confirm  or  reverse  the  said 
judgment  as,  on  impartial  deliberation,  shall  ap- 
pear to  be  right,  taking  care  to  inform  the  par- 
ties of  the  result. 

If  such  appellant  is  dissatisfied  with  the  judg- 
ment of  a  quarterly  meeting  also  ;  and,  on  being 


pointed. 


2  APPEALS. 

Notice  to  be      informed  thereof,  shall  notify  that  or  the  next  (but 

given  to  the  ... 

quarterly  oUhe  not  after wards)  of  their  intention  to  apply  to  the 

intention  of  car-  .        r  r       i        i  •  i  .  i 

lying  the  ap-  yearly  meeting  tor  a  further  hearmg,  the  said  quar- 
Fy  meeting-!  terly  meeting,  after  recording  such  notification,  is 
in  like  manner  to  appoint  at  least  three  Friends, 
to  attend  the  yearly  meeting  with  copies  of  the 
Copies  of  the  rccords  of  both  the  monthly  and  quarterly  meet- 
momhiy°and^  i^^gs  in  the  case,  signed  by  their  clerks ;  here 
meetings  to  be  ^^  ^^  ^^  ^^  finally  determined,  and  a  copy  of  the 
taken  to  the      determination  is  to  be  sent  to  the  meeting  from 

yearly  meetuig".  ^  o 

which  the  appeal  came. 


ARBITRATIONS 


ferences  about 
property. 


IF  occasions  of  differences  arise  between 
any  of  our  members  about  their  property,  it  is 
recommended  that  the  parties  proceed  in  the 
following  manner : 

Let  the  party  who  thinks  him  or  herself  ag-  -^^^^  p^g. 
grieved,  calmly  and  kindly  request  the  other  to  '(e^me^/^M^ 
comply  with  the  demand  ;  and,  if  this  be  disput- 
ed, the  complainant,  or  if  he  or  she  lives  at  too 
great  a  distance,  some  Friend  whom  they  may 
authorise,  should  take  with  him  one  or  two  of 
the  overseers,  or  other  discreet  Friends,  and  in 
their  presence  repeat  the  demand. 

If  this  step  also  fails  of  the  desired  effect,  the   v^^^^^^^^^  ^^ 
parties  should  be  advised  to  choose  a  suitable   Arbitrators 

*  ^  ^  advisea. 

number  of  Friends  as  arbitrators,  and  mutually 
engage  by  bond,  or  other  written  instrument 
adapted  to  the  occasion,  to  abide  by  their  deter- 
mination. 

Should  this  proposal  be  acceded  to,  and  ar- 
bitrators accordingly  chosen  ;  they  ought,  as 
speedily  as  circumstances  will  admit,  to  appoint 


4  ARBITRATIONS. 

time  and  place,  and  attend  to  the  business  with- 
Arbitrators       out  unnecessary  delay  ;   giving  the  parties  a  fair 
panics  a  full      and  full  hearing  in  the  presence  of  each  other, 
hearS^^  ^^      t)ut  listening  to  neither  of  them  apart,  nor  suf- 
fering their  own  sentiments  to  be  known  abroad 
till  they  have  fully  digested  the   subject,   and 
come  to  a  clear  decision,  which  they  should  be 
careful  to  do  within  the  time  agreed  on. 

But,  if  either  of  the  said  parties  shall  refuse  to 
submit  the  matter  in  dispute  to  arbitrators  ;   or, 
when  that  is  done,  neglect  to  give  his  or  her  at- 
tendance when  desired,  without  a  sufficient  rea- 
son being  assigned  ;  or  not  abide  by  their  award 
notcmnpiying    wlicu  issucd  ;   in  either  of  those  cases,   the  of- 
recommende!{  fcudcr  should  be  complaiucd  of  to  the  monthly 
pia'me^d oTto'    i^^ecting  of  which  he  or  she  is  a  member  ;   and 
the  monthly       -f  ^^ity  caunot  be  brousfht  to  a  sense  of  their 

meeting.  •/  «=> 

error,  the  said  meeting  should  declare  its  dis- 
union with  them,  unless  such  person  make  it 
evident  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said  meetins: 

An  erroneous  c) 

or  unjust  a-      ^\-^rj^^  ^j^g    award   is   erroneous    or   unjust.     In 

ward  cause  ot  _  *' 

rehearing.  ^^•hich  casc  the  matter  in  dispute  may  be  referred 
either  to  the  same,  or  other  arbitrators  as  the 
meeting  shall  judge  best ;  and  their  award  shall 
be  final.  After  which  if  either  of  the  parties  at 
variance,  prove  so  regardless  of  peace  and  unity 
as  not  to  acquiesce  in  such  corrected  determina- 
tion, the  monthly  meeting  they  belong  to  should 
proceed  to  issue  a  testimony  against  him  or  her 
so  refusing. 


ARBITRATIONS.  5 

Where  arbitrators  are  at  a  loss  for  want  of  Arbitrators 
legal  knowledge,  it  may  be  proper  for  them,  at  JlJ'Jonluh''''''^ 
the  joint  expense  of  the  parties  to  take  the  opinion  ^^^^^^^ ' 
of  counsel  learned  in  the  law,  in  order  to  come 
at  a  proper  judgment  in  the  matter  referred  to 
them.     And  that  they  may  the  better  answer 
the  end  of  their  appointment,  and  be  helpful  in 
conciliating  the  minds  of  the  parties,  they  ought   Butnotto 


cou- 


not  to  consider   themselves   as    advocates   for   g^^^^,  asTdvo- 

those  by  whom  they  are  chosen,  but  as  men,   p^^ty.^"''' ^'^^^'' 

whose  duty  it  is  to  judge  righteously,  fearing 

the  Lord.      They  should,  as  much  as  may  be, 

shun  all   previous    information   respecting  the   jjoe^i^jg^ce 

case;  or,  having  heard  any  thing  on  it,  stand  J^^^^JJji^g^^^' 

unbiassed  thereby.     They  should  reject  no  evi-    in  the  pre- 

J  'I  -i  sence  of  both 

dence  or  witness  proposed;  nor  receive  any  but  parties. 
in  the  presence  of  both  parties ;  and  in  their   Tiie  award 

.       may  be  with- 

award,  they  need  not  assign  any  reason  for  their  out  assigning 

,  .         .  any  reason  for 

CietermmatlOnS.  the  determina- 

tion. 

And  whereas  there  may  be  some  circum- 
stances even  in  disputed  matters,  wherein  the 
foregoing  wholesome  method  of  proceeding  can- 
not be  complied  with;  such  as,  1st.  The  party  cases  except- 
absconding,  or  leaving  the  country  with  design 
to  defraud  his  or  her  creditors  ;  or,  2d.  That 
the  going  through  the  meetings,  by  the  time  it 
must  necessarily  take  up,  might  be  a  manifest 
damage,  to  the  creditor  or  claimant,  by  other 
peoples  postponing  him  or  her,  as  in  cases  of 
apparent  danger  of  bankruptcy,  or  the  party 
being  overloaded  with  debts,  and  other  creditors 


ed. 


6  ARBITRATIONS. 

generally  coming  on;  or,  3d.  That  there  may 
be  danger  of  future  damage  to  such  as  submit 
thereto,  as  in  the  case  of  executors,  administra- 
tors, or  trustees;  it  may  therefore  be  necessary, 
and  it  is  advised,  that  the  monthly  meeting 
where  such  cases  happen,  do  hold  excused  such 
as  shall  in  the  two  first  mentioned  circumstances 
in  this  paragraph,  appear  to  them  to  be  really 
necessitated  to  proceed  at  law;  and  in  the  latter 
case  of  executors,  administrators  or  trustees, 
where  it  shall  appear  to  the  meeting  that  our 
Permission  to    friendly  way  would  be  unsafe,  such  may  be  per- 

have  a  disput-         .  .  .  . 

od  case  tried     mittcd  to  havc  the  matter  tried  at  law,  with  this 

at  law. 

caution,  that  the  parties  on  both  sides  do  behave 
towards  each  other  in  brotherly  love,  decency 
and  moderation,  without  anger  or  animosity, 
which  will  be  a  becoming  testimony  even  in 
courts,  and  show  that  nothing  but  the  nature 
of  the  case,  and  our  station  in  common  widi 
others,  under  the  laws  of  the  land,  bring  any 
of  us  there. 

As  it  may  sometimes  occur  that  a  mem- 
ber, either  for  want  of  a  clear  understanding  of 
the  business,  or  through  an  improper  influence 
conYider'^ca^e-  ^^J  p^escut  a  complaint  against  another  mem- 
of  Ifompiainr  ^er,  wherciu  the  overseers,  after  fully  hearing 
both  parties,  being  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the 
case  does  not  require  a  reference,  they  are  to 
advise  a  speedy  settlement  thereof;  which  being 
ineffectual,  and  the  complainant  remaining  dis- 
satisfied therewith,  he  may  have  liberty  to  in- 


ARBITRATIONS.  7 

form  the  preparative  meeting  where  the  other 
party  is  a  member  (without  mentioning  any 
name)  that  having  a  matter  in  dispute  with  one 
of  their  members,  he  is  desirous  of  their  assist- 
ance in  order  to  a  settlement  thereof ;.... the  said  preparative 

,  .  .      ,.    .  .        meeting  to  ap- 

meetmg  is  then  to  appomt  a  judicious  commit-   point  a  com- 

tee  to  inquire  into  the  propriety  of  the  matter  ""'"^^• 

being  left  to  arbitration ;  if  they  should  judge 

that  the  complaint  ought  to  be  referred,  they  are 

to  advise  that  it  be  submitted  accordingly  ;  but 

if  the  said  committee  concur  in  judgment  with 

the  overseers,  the  complaint  is  to  be  dismissed. 

,  Friends  in  the 

It  is  desired  that  persons  dinering  about  ministry  should 
\vorldly  affairs,   do  as  little  as  may  be,  engage  from  serving 
friends  in  the  ministry  as  arbitrators  in  such  asmuchTsmay 

be. 

cases. 


BIRTHS  AND  BURIALS, 


Solemnity  of 
burials  never 
to  be  pervert- 
ed into  oppor- 
tunities for  in- 
temperance or 
levity. 


AS  those  M'ho  attend  burials  may  sometimes 
come  from  far,  and  be  in  need  of  bodily  refresh- 
ments, it  is  earnestly  advised  that,  when  this  is 
really  necessary,  it  may  be  taken  in  moderation; 
and  that  Friends  be  careful  in  this  and  all  other 
respects  to  demean  themselves  with  gravity  and 
decency  ;  remembering  that  such  seasons,  es- 
pecially, ought  never  to  be  perverted  into  oppor- 
tunities for  intemperance  or  levity.  And  it  is 
desired  that  when  any  thing  unseemly  appears, 
the  offender  may  be  taken  aside  and  tenderly 
admonished,  that  so  every  thing  tending  to 
lessen  the  solemnity  of  such  occasions,  may  be 
avoided. 


It  is  recommended  that  one  or  more  suitable 

Friends  of  each  particular  meeting  be  appointed 

tosee'thatg-ood  by  monthly  meetings  to  attend  at  funerals,  to 

ed  at  funerail'  scc  that  good  Order  is  observed ;  and  that  the 

corpse  be  removed  about  an  hour  after  the  time 

set  for  meeting  at  the  house. 


Advised  that  Friends  be  careful  themselves, 
and  discourage  their  children  from  attending  the 


BIRTHS  AND  BURIALS.  9 

worship  of  those  who  are  not  in  communion  ReUgioua  cau^ 

with  us,  and  particularly  at  burials;  seeino;  that,  tiontobeob- 

^              *                        ''                           '                o            '  served  respect- 
in  SO  doino;,  there  is  a  dans:er  either  of  balkins:  i"j?' he  worship 

^  o'  ^  ^  oi  those  not  la 

their  testimony  for  the  truth,  to  the  woundinoj  communioa 

*-'  with  us. 

of  their    own    minds,    or   giving   unnecessary 
offence  to  their  sober  neighbours. 

It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  meetings  no  meeting  to 

should  not  be  appointed  on  account  of  the  inter-  for  mtel'ment 

ment  in   our    burial   grounds  of  persons    who  membersh'ipr 

are  not  in  membership  with  us ;   and  that  invi-  f"^^  no  unua- 

^  '  tion  but  for 

tations  to  the  burials  of  such  who  are  not  inter-  those  in  our 

own  grounds. 

red  in  our  burial  grounds  should  not  be  made 


in  our  religious  meetings. 


And  also  that  Friends  be  relio'iously  sruarded  Caution 

"^    *-'  against  invifa- 

in  publishing  invitations  to  the  burials  of  such  tions  to  the  bu- 
rials of"  tliose 

not  m  membership  with  us  who  are  admitted  to  notinmember- 

1       •  1  •  1  ship. 

be  interred  m  our  grave  yards. 

In  order  that  meetings  may  not  be  held  at 
the   interment  of  our  deceased  members  in  a 

customary  or  formal  way,  it  is  advised,  that  the  TeldaUnter-^ 


No  formal  cr 
customary 


proposal  for  holding  any  such  meeting  be  previ- 
ously submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  elders 
and  overseers,  or  other  solid  Friends,  either  of  the 
meeting  in  the  compass  of  which  the  deceased 
resided,  or  of  that  in  which  the  interment  is  to 
take  place,  that  the  counsel  or  mind  of  truth 
mav  be  waited  for  and  followed. 


ments. 


10  BIRTHS  AND  BURIALS. 

Appointment  Aiid  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  improper 

burialgrounds.  interments  amongst  us... .it  is  recommended 
that  two  or  more  Friends  be  appointed  to  the 
care  of  our  several  burial  grounds  by  preparative 
or  monthly  meetings,  as  the  case  may  require, 
and  that  no  person  who  is  not  in  membership 
be  buried  therein,  without  a  permit  in  writing 
signed  by  one  or  two  of  those  Friends ;  who 
should  also  take  care  that  our  burial  grounds  be 
properly  enclosed  and  kept  in  decent  order. 

It  is  further  recommended,  that  at  all  in- 
terments, time  be  allowed  for  a  solemn  pause, 
both  before  and  after  the  corpse  is  put  into  the 
ground. 


Notnonuments         I^   is  the  sensc  of  this  meeting,   that   no 
of  wood  or         monuments  either  of  wood  or  stone  be  affixed 

stone  to  be  in 

our  grave  ^q  jrravcs  in  any  of  our  burial  s-rounds  ;    and  if 

yards.  ^  •'  ^  "-^ 

any  yet  remain  therein,  that  these  be  forth- 
with removed.... so  that  no  cause  of  uneasiness 
on  this  account  may  exist,  or  partiality  be  justly 
chargeable  upon  us. 

Mourning:  ha.  Fricuds  arc  advised   ae;ainst  imitatinj^  the 

bits  vain  and  «^  »=> 

superfluous.  y^'u^  custom  of  Wearing  or  giving  mourning 
habits,  and  all  extravagant  expenses  about  the 
interment  of  the  dead. 


Regular  re- 


As  great  inconvenience  may  arise  from  the 
cord  of  births     want  of  duc  attention  to  keeping:  a  resrular  re- 

and  burials  to  ,  i       O  O 

be  kept.  cord  of  births  and  burials,  it  is  earnestly  en- 


BIRTHS  AND  BURIALS. 


11 


joined  on  each  monthly  meeting,  that  they  ap- 
point a  careful  Friend,  whose  duty  it  shall  be, 
in  a  book  provided  for  the  purpose,  at  the 
monthly  meeting's  expense,  to  keep  a  record  of 
all  births  and  burials  of  members  that  shall  occur 
within  their  respective  limits  and  which  shall  be 
offered  to  him  for  that  purpose ;  and  in  order  to 
engage  the  attention  of  monthly  meetings  more 
closely  to  this  subject,  it  is  further  enjoined, 
that  an  explicit  answer  be  annually  given  by 
monthly  to  quarterly  meetings,  and  through 
them  to  the  yearly  meeting  to  the  query, 
Whether  due  care  is  taken  to  keep  a  regular 
record  of  births  and  burials  ? 

The  form  of  the  record  to  be  as  follows.... 


BIRTHS, 


Names  of  the 
Children. 

When 
born. 

Names  of 
the  parents. 

Their 
residence. 

Occasional 
Notes, 

BURIALS. 

Names  of  the 
deceased. 

When 
deceased. 

A^e. 

Where 
buried. 

Late 
Residence. 

Occasional/ 
Notes.    1 

Form  of  the  re- 
cords. 


12 


BOOKS. 


Meeting  for  ^^  bciiig  recommeiicled  to  the  meeting  for 

^uifeiinars  to      suflerinp's  to  take  the  oversidit  of  all  writb2:s 

have  tlie  over-  ^  ^  , 

Eight  of  reii^i-    proi)osed  to  be  printed,  which  relate  to  our  re- 

ous  books  or        \      *^  ^       ^       * 

writings  to  be     limoiis  principles  or  testhiionies  ;    our  members 

printed  &  i  r 

who  may  have  any  such  publications  in  view, 
are  to  lay  them  before  the  said  meeting,  for  its 
advice  and  concurrence.  And  it  is  the  sense  of 
this  meeting  that  if  any  one  shall  print  or  publish 
any  writing  against  the  advice  of  said  meeting 
Persona  who      for  sufferings,  or  which  tends  to  excite  disunity 

publish  con-  ^  ^ 

trarytothisad-  and  discord  amoug  us,   such  persons  should  be 

vice  to  be  dis-  -i    •        i        r»  i 

owned.  complamed  of  to  the  monthly  meeting  they  be- 

long to,  and  if  they  cannot  be  convinced  of  the 
impropriety  of  their  conduct,  be  testified  against, 
as  opposed  to  the  peace  and  good  order  of  the 
society. 

Advice  against  This  meeting  doth  earnestly  exhort  all  pa- 

eious'^^ookr"  I'^nts,  heads  of  families  and  guardians  of  minors, 
that  they  prevent,  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  their 
children,  and  others  under  their  care  and  tuition, 
from  having  or  reading  books  and  papers  tend 
ing  to  prejudice  the  profession  of  the  Christi- 
an religion,  to  create  the  least  doubt  concern- 


BOOKS.  13 

ing  the  authenticity  of  the  holy  Scriptures, 
or  of  those  saving  truths  declared  in  them  ;  lest 
their  infant  and  feeble  minds  should  be  poisoned 
thereby,  and  a  foundation  laid  for  the  greatest 
evils.  And  it  is  earnestly  recommended  to  every 
member  of  our  reHgions  society,  that  they  dis- 
courage and  suppress  the  reading  of  plays,  ro- 
mances, novels,  or  other  pernicious  books ; 
and  printers  and  booksellers  in  profession  with 
us,  are  cautioned  against  printing,  selling,  or 
lending  such  books  ;  as  it  is  a  practice  so  incon- 
sistent with  the  purity  of  the  Christian  reliejion.    And  against 

*  "^  *-  printing,  seU 

And  Friends  are  desired  to  be  careful  in  the  Ung, or  lending 
choice  of  all  books  in  which  their  children  and 
families  read,  seeing  there  are  many  under  the 
specious  titles  of  promoting  religion  and  mo- 
rality, which  contain  sentiments  repugnant  to 
the  truth  in  Christ  Jesus. 


such  books. 


u 


CERTIFICATES 


Certificates  for 
travelling- 
J'riends  to  be 
seasonably  re- 
turned. 


Those  of  re- 
moval to  be 
lodg-ed  in  the 
monthly  meet- 
in,^  and  re- 
corded. 


IT  is  recommended  to  the  quarterly  and 
monthly  meetings  to  take  care,  that  all  certifi- 
cates or  minutes  which  may  be  given  to  any 
travelling  Friend  be  recorded,  and  upon  the  re- 
turn of  such  Friend,  seasonably  delivered  back 
to  the  meeting ;  and  that  all  certificates  of  re- 
moval brought  by  any  Friend  intending  to  reside 
amongst  us,  shall  be  lodged  in  the  monthly 
meeting,  where  the  same  is  accepted ;  and  also 
that  every  meeting  do  keep  a  copy  or  record  of 
all  certificates  which  they  give  out. 


Mode  of  sign- 
ing certificates. 


All  certificates  of  removal  prepared  for  w^omen 
Friends,  after  being  considered  in  their  monthly 
meeting,  are  to  be  sent  to  the  mens',  and  if  there 
approved,  signed  by  the  clerks  of  both.  If  they 
are  directed  to  any  place  beyond  the  limits  of 
this  yearly  meeting,  they  are  to  be  signed  by  the 
clerks,  and  at  least  four  other  Friends  of  each 
And  if  the  certificate  is  for  a  man  only, 


sex. 


it  is  to  be  signed  by  the  clerk  of  the  mens'  meet- 
ing, and  at  least  four  other  men  Friends. 


Friends  are  advised  to  be  very  cautious  in 
changing  their  places  of  residence:   it  having 


CERTIFICATES.  15 

been  observed  that  the  dissolving  of  old,  and  the  ASoT''' 
forming  of  new  connections,  have  in  many  in-  ^^^'Jf  ^''^''" 
stances  been  attended  with  effects  prejudicial  to 
a  growth  in  the  truth  and  the  service  thereof, 
both  in  the  heads  and  younger  branches  of  fami- 
lies ;  we  therefore  recommend  to  all,  that  on 
these  occasions  a  strict  attention  be  paid  to  the 
pointings  of  Divine  Wisdom ;  and  that  before 
any  determine  to  change  their  places  of  abode, 
they  consult  with  their  experienced  fellow  mem- 
bers. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  this  meeting  that  when  ^^.^^^a^^^^^ 
a  certificate  of  removal  from  one  monthly  meet-   ^^2^.''^''^'^" 
ing  to  another  is  received,  the  person  or  persons 
recommended  shall  be  deemed  members  of  the 
meeting  they  remove  to.     But  if  any  such  per-  Exceptions  un 
sons  shall  fall  into  circumstances  requiring  pe- 
cuniary relief  within  one  year  after  the  receipt 
of  such  certificate,  he,  she,  or  they  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  belonging  to  the  monthly  meeting 
from  which  they  came.  Yet  the  meeting  removed 
to,  ought  to  assist  them,  giving  speedy  notice 
thereof  to  the  other.     Whereupon  that  meeting 
should  immediately  take  care  of  them,  and  repay 
the  charge  which  has  been  or  may  be  incurred 
on  that  account.  And  if  the  meeting  from  which 
such  persons  removed  (on  consulting  with  that 
within  which  they  are)  shall  desire  them  to  re- 
turn, he  or  she  ought  to  comply,  as  soon  as  they 
are  of  abilitv  so  to  do ;  and  the  Friends  where 


der  certain  cir- 
cumstances. 


16  CERTIFICATES. 

they  reside,  should  yield  them  such  advice  and 
assistance  as  the  case  may  require. 


And  if  any  such  persons  on  being  so  required 
comply  with  shall  rcfusc  to  comply,  the  said  monthly  meeting 
the  meeting/  ^lay  deal  with  them  as  opposed  to  the  order  of 
©wnme^nt  :^^'^      the  society,  and  if  they  cannot  be  prevailed  with 

to  submit,  issue  a  testimony  of  denial  against 

them. 


But  not  to  ex- 
tend to  per- 


The   above  rule   enjoining    the    return    of 

members  to  the   meetings   they  have  removed 

sons  in  particu-   from,  IS,  howcvcr,  not  dcsiffued  to  extend  to  the 

lar  circum-  ^^ 

stances.  wife  of  a  per  SOU,  w  ho  is  not  in  membership  with 

us,  or  to  such  of  their  minor  children  as  are 
members ;  but  if  such  should  need  relief,  within 
one  year  as  aforesaid,  they  should  be  assisted,  in 
the  manner  recommended,  by  the  meeting  they 
removed  from  ;  if  any  Friend  be  reduced  in  his 
or  her  circumstances  by  fire  or  other  sudden 
unavoidable  losses,  though  it  may  be  within 
one  year  after  their  removal  as  aforesaid,  they 
should  be  kindly  assisted  and  relieved  by  the 
meeting  where  such  persons  reside,  and  consi- 
dered members  thereof. 

All  Friends  removing  out  of  the  limits  of 

Application  to  .  .  i       i  r 

be  made  for  their  monthly  meetings,  whether  lor  continu- 
ance, or  for  any  considerable  length  of  time,  are 
advised  to  apply  to  their  respective  meetings  for 
certificates  directed  to  those  within  which  they 
propose  to  sojourn  or  settle.    But  if  any  shall  re- 


CERTIFICATES.  17 

move  without  so  applying,  the  monthly  meetings 
of  which  they  are  members,  after  the  usual  en- 
quiry made,  and  no  obstruction  appearing,  should 

send  certificates  for  them  to  the  monthly  meet- 
Manner  of 

insrs  within  which  they  are  removed,  and  that  treating  with 
without  improper  delay;  but  if  their  conduct  removed  at  a 
requires  their  being  dealt  with,  and  the  distance 
such  as  to  be  inconvenient  for  the  meeting  they 
have  removed  from,  the  monthly  meeting  within 
which  they  are,  should  be  requested  to  treat  with 
him  or  her  thereon,  and  report  the  effect  of  its 
care.  On  which,  if  it  proves  satisfactory,  a  cer- 
tificate of  recommendation  or  removal  may  be 
ordered;  but  if  otherwise,  and  a  testimony  of  dis- 
union is  issued,  the  meeting  within  which  he  or 
she  resides,  should  be  furnished  with  a  copy 
thereof,  to  be  delivered  to  the  party,  with  infor- 
mation of  their  right  of  appeal. 

It  is  to  be  understood  that  where  apprentices,    Parents,  guar- 

.  -    dians  or  mas- 

or  persons  under  age,  are  under  a  necessity  or   ters  to  apply 
going  from  one  place  to  another,  their  parents   for  minors. 
or  guardians,  masters  or  mistresses,  should  ap- 
ply for  certificates  for  them,  recommending  them 
to  the  care  and  oversight  of  the  monthly  meet- 
ings whereto  they  remove. 

If  any  person  appearing  as  a  Friend,  come 
within  the  compass  of  a  monthly  meeting,  not 
being  recommended  by  certificate,  and  be  of  dis- 
orderly conduct,  the  overseers,  or  other  con- 
cerned Friends,  should  enquire  whether  or  not 


18  CERTIFICATES. 

Jrdedrcon^'^'   ^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^  ^  member  of  our  society;  and,  if 

duetto  be         they  prove  so  to  be,  admonish  them,  or,  if  the 
treated  with.  "^    '  ^  '        ' 

occasion  require  it,  report  the  case  to  the  pre- 
parative, and  from  thence  to  the  monthly  meet- 
ing; which  should  thereupon  inform  the  monthly 
meeting  of  which  he  or  she  is  a  member,  of  the 
circumstance,  and  take  the  direction  of  said  meet- 
ing, for  dealing  further  with  them,  according  to 
our  rules  in  cases  of  that  nature. 

Visits  to  such  It  is  recommended  that  monthly  meetinars, 

who  bring  cer-  ^  ''  . 

tificates.  as  Way  may  open,  appoint  two  or  more  Friends 

to  visit  such,  who  come  recommended  by  cer- 
tificate to  settle  amongst  them. 

Certificates  Monthly  meetings  are  advised  to  take  due 

Sonth?ymeet°-^  carc  that  Certificates  of  removal  be  seasonably 
6efson^i^°for^.   forwarded  by  suitable  conveyances  to  the  month- 
warded,  ly  meetings  to  which  they  are  directed.... they 
being  the  exclusive  property  of  such  meetings. 


19 


CHARITY  AND  UNITY; 


IT  is  advised,  that  where  there  is  any  ap-   Dissension,va» 
pearance  of  dissension  and  variance,  or  of  un-   neTs^to^ claim 
kind  resentment  and  shyness  among  our  mem-   ^^^^y  ^*^^' 
bers,  the  parties  be  timely  and  tenderly  apprised 
of  the  danger  to  which  they  thereby  expose  both 
themselves  and  others,  and  earnestly  exhorted  to 
mutual  condescension  and  forgiveness,  becom- 
ing the  followers  of  Christ :    And  if  any,  not- 
withstanding such   endeavours   for  their  help, 
continue  to  manifest  an  implacable  enmity  to 
others,  the  overseers  or  other  solid  Friends  of 
the  preparative  or  monthly  meeting  they  belong 
to,  should  be  informed  thereof,  and  labour  fur- 
ther with  them:  when,  if  they  still  prove  inflexi-    impiacabieen. 

.  mitv  to  btt  tes- 

ble,  they  ought  to  be  testified  agamst  as  out  of  tified  against. 
the  unity  of  the  body.... the  very  end  of  whose 
existence  is  the  promotion  of  peace  on  earth, 
and  good  will  amongst  men. 


20 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT, 


Liberty  of  cor - 
science  assert- 
ed. 


None  to  ac- 
cept an  office 
or  station  re- 
straining the 
religious  liber- 
ty oftheir 
brethren. 


Snch  exercise 
of  that  author- 
ity  cause  of 
disovvnment. 


LIBERTY  of  conscience  being  the  com- 
mon right  of  all  men,  and  particularly  essential 
to  the  well-being  of  religious  societies,  we  hold 
it  to  be  indispensably  incumbent  upon  us  to 
maintain  it  inviolably  among  ourselves :  and 
therefore  advise  and  exhort  all  in  profession  with 
us,  to  decline  the  acceptance  of  any  office  or  sta- 
tion in  civil  government,  the  duties  of  which  are 
inconsistent  with  our  religious  principles  ;  or  in 
tlie  exercise  of  which  they  may  be,  or  think 
themselves  to  be,  under  the  necessity  of  exact- 
ing of  their  brethren  any  compliances  against 
which  we  are  conscientiously  scrupulous.  And 
if  any  persons  in  membership  with  us,  notwith- 
standing this  advice,  shall  persist  in  a  conduct  so 
reverse  to  our  principles  and  religious  liberty, 
it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  they  be  treated 
with,  as  in  other  cases  of  offence  ;  and  if  they 
cannot  be  brought  to  see  and  acknowledge  their 
error,  that  the  monthly  meetings  to  which  they 
belong  should  proceed  to  testify  our  disunity 
with  them. 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT.  21 

And  it  is  also  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  None  to  elect 

or  promote 

meetmg,  that  Friends  ought  not,  in  any  wise,  to  their feiiow- 

,  .  ...  .  members  to 

be  active  or  accessary  in  electing,  or  promoting  stations  which 
to  be  elected,  their  brethren  to  such  offices  or  vvrsie^our\es- 
stations    in    civil    government,    the    execution  ^^"^°"^- 
whereof  tends  to  lay  waste  our  Christian  testi- 
mony, or  subject  their  brethren  or  others  to  suf- 
ferings on  account  of  their  conscientious  scru- 
ples. 


Believing  that  we  are  called  to  show  forth  to 
the  w^orld  in  life  and  practice,  that  the  blessed 
reign  of  the  Messiah,  the   Prince  of  Peace,  is  kingdom  ot 
begun,  and  we  doubt  not,  will  proceed  till  it 
attains  its  completion  in  the    earth,  when  ac- 
cording to  the  prophecies  of  Isaiah  and  Micah, 
^'  Nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation, 
*'  neither    shall    they  learn  war   any  more".... 
Influenced  by  these  principles,  we  cannot  con-   whose  sub- 
sistently  join  with  such  as  form  combinations  of  johiln  hosUie 
a  hostile  nature  against  any ;  much  less  in  oppo-  "^^*'^'^^-- 
sition  to  those  placed  in  sovereign  or  subordi- 
nate authority ;   nor  can  we  unite  with  or  en- 
courage such  as  revile  and  asperse  them,  for  it 
is  written,   "  Thou  shalt  not  speak  evil  of  the 
"  ruler  of  thy  people."    Acts  xxiii.  5, 


22 


CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION. 


WHATEVER  exercises  we  may  meet  with 
Faithfulness      Oil  accouiit  of  a  faithful  testimony  to  the  truth 

recommended     .         ,,  ,,. 

by  the  blessed    111  all  goohncss  of  coiiversatioii ;   and  to  the  end 

example  of  our      ,  p  .        .  «      i       -i 

Saviour.  that  wc  may  not  lamt  m  our  mmds,  let  us  con- 

sider the  Captain  of  our  salvation,  who  endured 
the  contradiction  of  sinners,  bearing  his  cross 
and  despising  the  shame,  and  is  now  set  down 
on  the  right  hand  of  God,  where  he  continually 
maketh  intercession  for  us...  .that  following  him, 
and  under  his  banner  fighting  the  good  fight  of 
faith,  we  may  finally  obtain  the  crown  of  righte- 
ousness which  fadeth  not  away. 


Advised  that  such  be  dealt  with,  who  are  given 

Immoral  con- 
duct to  be  tes-  to  lying,  swearing,  cursing;   men   and  women 

tified  ag-ainst  '  ,        ,  •  •  i 

by  the  month,  unlawfully  or  unseemly  keeping  company  with 
ymeeing-.  ^^^^^  Other,  or  any  other  scandalous  practice; 
and  where  any  are  guilty  of  gross  or  notorious 
crimes,  or  such  other  disorderly  or  indecent 
practices  as  shall  occasion  public  scandal,  after 
being  dealt  with  by  the  overseers  or  other  con- 
cerned Friends,  if  they  are  brought  to  a  sense 
thereof,  such  offenders  ought  without  improper 
delav,  to  remove  the  scandal,  and  clear,  as  much 


CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION.       23 

as  in  them  lies,  our  holy  profession  therefrom,   Oibytheoffen- 

II'  ders    when 

by  acknowledging  the  offence,  and  condemnmg  bn-v.ghttoa 
the  same  in  writing  under  their  hand,  to  the  thereof'^ 
satisfaction  of  the  monthly  meeting  whereto  they 
belong.  And  where  any  such  offender  refuseth 
so  to  acknowledge  and  condemn  the  fault,  the 
said  monthly  meeting  ought  speedily  to  testify 
against  him  or  her,  and  the  fact. 

If  any  in  membership   w^ith  us  shall  bias-    blasphemy  &c. 
pheme,  or  speak  profanely  of  Almighty  God,   ^^^.^^^ 
Christ  Jesus,  or  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  or  she  ought   Friends. 
early  to  be  tenderly   treated  with  for  their  in- 
struction, and  the  convincement  of  their  under- 
standing, that  they  may  experience  repentance   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
and  forgiveness  ;  but  should  any,  notwithstand-   ^^'^'jlf^^Jf^f  ^^';j^^^ 
ing  this  brotherly   labour,  persist  in  their  er-   of disownment. 
ror,   or   deny    the   divinity    of  our    Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  the  immediate  revelation 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,   or  the  authenticity  of  the 
Scriptures;    as  it  is  manifest  they  are  not  one 
in  faith  with  us,  the  monthly  meeting  where  the 
party  belongs,  having  extended  due  care  for  the 
help  and  benefit  of  the  individual  without  effect, 
ought  to  declare  the  same,  and  issue  their  testi- 
mony accordingly. 

It  is  the  earnest  concern  of  this  meeting  that   strict  justice 

in  all  our  deal- 

in  all  our  dealings  and  transactions  among  men,    ings  to  be 
strict  justice  may  be  observed,  and  that  no  mo- 
tives   of  pecuniary    interest    may    induce    any 
of  our  members  to  impose  on  each  other,  or  on 


OD- 

served. 


24        CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION. 

their  neighbours;  and  it  is  desired  that  monthly- 
meetings  may  be  careful  to  extend  suitable  ad- 
monition against  a  spirit  of  covetousness,  and 
against  every  appearance  of  deviation  from  strict 
justice  in  any  of  our  members. 

Frequent  waiting  in  stillness  on  the  Lord  for 
Sesf  o"n^the  ^hc  rcucwal  of  Strength,  keeps  the  mind  at  home 
Jiie  minT^^ith  ^^  ^^^  proper  place  and  duty,  and  out  of  all 
strength.  unprofitable  association  and  converse,  whether 

amongst  those  of  our  own,  or  other  professions. 
Much  hurt  may  accrue  to  the  religious  mind  by 
long  and  frequent  conversation  on  temporal  mat- 
ters, especially  by  interesting  ourselves  unne- 
cessarily in  them ;  for  there  is  a  leaven  in  that 
propensity,  which  being  suffered  to  prevail,  in- 
disposes and  benumbs  the  soul,  and  prevents  its 
frequent  ascendings  in  living  aspirations  towards 
the  fountain  of  eternal  life. 


25 


CONVINCED  PERSONS. 


IT  is  concluded  that  the  following  order  be  Order  pre. 

.  scribed  for  re- 

observed  respecting  persons  who  apply  for  ad-   ceivinp^con- 

-  ,  .  vinced  persons 

mittance  into  membership,  and  request  to  come  into  member- 
under  the  care  of  Friends.... That  they  apply  to  ^  '^* 
the  overseers  or  elders,  who,  when  they  are 
easy  so  to  do,  are  to  lay  it  before  the  preparative 
meeting;  and  after  that  meeting  is  fully  satisfied, 
by  paying  a  solid  visit,  or  otherwise,  they  are  to 
lay  the  case  before  the  monthly  meeting;  which 
meeting  shall  appoint  some  suitable  Friends  to 
inquire  into  the  persons'  life  and  conversation, 
and  also  to  take  a  solid  opportunity  of  confer- 
ence with  the  party,  in  order  the  better  to  un- 
derstand whether  his  or  her  motives  for  such 
request  be  sincere,  and  on  the  ground  of  true 
convincement ;  and  make  report  of  their  sense 
of  the  persons'  suitableness  to  become  a  mem- 
ber ;  on  which  when  the  meeting  is  satisfied,  a 
minute  should  be  made,  signifying  the  accept- 
ance of  such  into  membership,  and  appointing  a 
Friend  or  two  to  acquaint  the  person  thereof, 
requesting  his  or  her  attendance  at  the  next 
monthly  meeting. 


26  CONVINCED  PERSONS. 

But  in  all  such  cases,  Friends  are  exhorted 
to  attend  carefully  to  the  advice  of  the  apostle, 
*'  Lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man :"  the  neglect 
of  such  caution  having  often  been  injurious  both 
to  the  individuals  and  to  the  society. ...to  them, 
by  settling  them  in  a  false  rest ;  and  to  the  so- 
ciety, by  adding  to  its  numbers,  without  in- 
creasing its  joy. 

Wherefore,  we  desire,  that  on  every  applica- 
tion of  persons  to  be  received  into  membership 
Weighty  de-     ^^ith   US,   monthly  meetinars  may  be  deep  and 

liberation  ^  \  ^     -^       ^  p  -^  * 

needful  to  be     weighty  in  their  deliberations  and  result;  and 

clearly  satisfi-  ..,..,, 

ed  of  the  par-  whcu  United  m  bclievHig  that  the  applicants  are 
membership,  clearly  convinced  of  our  religious  principles,  and 
in  a  good  degree  subject  to  the  divine  wit- 
ness in  their  own  hearts,  manifested  by  a  cir- 
cumspect  life  and  conduct,  said  meetings  are  at 
liberty  to  receive  such  into  membership,  with- 
out respect  to  nation  or  colour. 


27 


DAYS  AND  TIMES. 


times,  &c. 


Some  reasons  for  not  oh  sermng  fasts  and  feast 
days  and  times ^  and  other  human  injunctions 
and  institutions  relative  to  the  worship  of 
God. 

EVER  since  we  were  a  people  we  hav^e  had  a 
testimony  against  formal  worship,  being  con- 
vinced by  the  precepts  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,    Reasons  a. 

,  .  .  p ,  .  ,  ,  g:ainst  fast  and 

the  testnnonies  oi  his  apostles,  and  our  own  ex-  ^east  days  and 
perience,  that  the  worship  and  prayers  which 
God  accepts,  are  such  only  as  are  produced 
by  the  influence  and  assistance  of  his  holy 
Spirit ;  we  cannot  therefore  consistently  unite 
with  any  in  the  observation  of  public  fasts, 
feasts,  and  what  they  term  holy  days  ;  or  such 
injunctions  and  forms  as  are  devised  in  man's 
will  for  divine  worship  ;  the  dispensation  to 
which  outward  observations  were  peculiar, 
having  long  since  given  place  to  the  spiritual 
dispensation  of  the  gospel,  we  believe  the 
fast  we  are  now  called  to  is  not  the  bowing 
of  the  head  like  a  bulrush  for  a  day,  but  an  uni- 
versal and  continual  fasting  and  refraining  from 
every  thing  which  has  a  tendency  to  defile  the 
soul  and  unfit  it  for  becoming  the  temple  of  the 


28  DAYS  AND  TIMES. 

Holy  Ghost,  according  to  the  injunctions  of 
Chiist  to  his  primitive  disciples,  *'  If  any  man 
will  come  after  me,  let  him  take  up  his  daily 
cross  and  follow  me.  Watch  ye  therefore  and 
pray  always,  that  ye  may  be  accounted  worthy 
to  escape  all  these  things  that  shall  come  to  pass, 
and  to  stand  before  the  Son  of  Man."  That 
the  primitive  believers  saw  an  end  to  these  sha- 
dows of  good  things,  by  coming  to  Him  in 
whom  all  figures  and  shadows  end,  is  evident 
by  the  words  of  the  apostle  Paul;  *'  For  Christ, 
said  he,  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness 
to  every  one  that  belicveth,"  Rom.  x.  iv. — 
*'  But  now  hath  he  obtained  a  more  excellent 
ministry,  by  how  much  also  he  is  the  mediator 
of  a  better  covenant,  which  was  established 
upon  better  promises."  Heb.  viii.  6.  **  Let  no 
man  therefore  judge  you  in  meat  or  drink,  or 
in  respect  of  an  holy  day,  or  of  the  new  moon, 
or  of  the  sabbath  days,  which  are  a  shadow  of 
things  to  come,  but  the  body  is  of  Christ." 
Col.  ii.  16.  17.  And  the  same  apostle  thus  ex- 
postulated with  some  who  it  appears  had  fallen 
from  the  true  faith  in  these  respects,  **  But  now 
after  that  ye  have  known  God,  how  turn  ye 
again  to  the  beggarly  elements,  whereunto  ye 
desire  again  to  be  in  bondage.  Ye  observe  days 
and  months,  and  times,  and  years  :  I  am  afraid 
of  you  lest  I  have  bestowed  upon  you  labour  in 
vain."  Gal.  iv.  9,  10,  11. 


29 


DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION. 


FRIENDS  are  every  where  exhorted  to 
maintain  a  strict  watch  over  themselves  and  each 
other  against  the  subtle  and  mischievous  spirit   strict  vigilance 

f.  1  •  11  •  -r  ag-ainst 'he  spi- 

of  tale-bearing  and  detraction.... the  manifest  ten-  rit  of  detrac 
dency  of  which  is  to  lay  waste  the  unity  of  the  mended. ' 
body,  by  sowing  the  seeds  of  disesteem,  strife, 
and  discord  among  brethren  and  neighbours;  as 
well  as  to  unfit  those  who  either  propagate  or  lis- 
ten to  evil  reports,  for  being  of  that  service  to  the 
persons  reflected  upon,  which  they  might  be  if 
the  order  prescribed  by  our  blessed  Lord  to  his  Gospel  order 
church,  was  strictly  observed,  viz.  ''  If  thy  bro- 
*'  ther  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him 
"  his  fault  betvv^een  thee  and  him  alone  :  if  he 
'*  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother. 
*'  But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with 
*^  thee  one  or  two  more,  that,  in  the  mouth  of 
''two  or  three  witnesses,  every  word  may  be 
*'  established.  And  if  he  shall  nco'lect  to  hear 
*'  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church;  but  if  he  ne- 
*'  gleet  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee 
*'  as  an  heathen  man  and  a  publican." 


30     DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION 


Detractors  to 
be  testifi(^d  a- 
gainst  if  the 
labour  is  inef- 
fectual. 


It  is  therefore  advised  that,  in  whomsoever 
this  weakness  appears,  it  may  be  immediately 
checked ;  and,  if  any  one  gives  way  to  it,  to  the 
obvious  injury  of  another's  reputation  or  inte- 
rest, let  him  or  her  be  faithfully  admonished ; 
and,  if  they  persist,  and  cannot  be  prevailed  with 
to  give  due  satisfaction,  the  preparative  or 
monthly  meeting  should  be  informed  of  it,  and 
deal  further  with  them  ;  when,  if  this  produce 
not  the  desired  effect,  they  should  be  testified 
against. 


Reporters  to  be 
dealt  with  and 
if  tliey  «ill 
rot  discover 
the  authors 
disowned. 


And,  if  any  member  who  offends  in  this  res- 
pect, shelters  him  or  herself  under  a  pretence, 
that  they  say  no  more  than  they  have  heard  from 
others,  but  will  not  discover  who  they  are.... 
Such  reporters  or  tale-bearers  should  in  like 
manner  be  dealt  with,  and  testified  against  as 
being  themselves  the  authors. 


31 


DISCIPLINE  AND  MEETINGS  FOR 
DISCIPLINE. 


and  subordina- 
tion of  meet- 


THE  institution  of  our  meetings  for  disci- 
pline having,  on  experience  been  found  very  be- 
neficial, it  is  earnestly  recommended  they  may  be 
maintained  in  that  authority,  wherein  they  were 
established :  Where  any  have  been  negligent 
in  attending  them,  or  opposed  to  their  usefulness, 
carnality  and  spiritual  death  have  been  the 
consequence. 

The  connection  and  subordination  of  our  connection 
meetings  for  discipline  are  thus  :  Preparative 
meetings  are  accountable  to  the  monthly ;  '^^s^ 
monthly  to  the  quarterly;  and  the  quarterly  to 
the  yearly  meeting.  So  that  if  the  yearly  meet- 
ing be  at  any  time  dissatisfied  with  the  proceed- 
ings of  any  inferior  meeting ;  or  a  quarterly  meet- 
ing with  the  proceedings  of  either  of  its  monthly 
meetings  ;  or  a  monthly  meeting  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  either  of  its  preparative  meetings.... 
Such  meeting  or  meetings  ought  with  readiness 
and  meekness  to  render  an  account  thereof  when 
required. 


DISCIPLINE. 


Meetings  es- 
tablished by 
superior  meet- 
ings. 


Meeting-  for 
wnrsiiip  con- 
sisting- of 
members  of 
two  or  more 
monthly  meet- 
ings. 


A  meeting 
thus  circum- 
stanced ap- 
pointed a  pre- 
parative meet- 
ing. 


It  is  agreed  that  no  quarterly  meeting  be  set 
up  or  laid  down,  without  the  consent  of  the  yearly 
meeting;  no  monthly  meeting  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  quarterly  meeting  ;  nor  any  prepara- 
tive or  other  meeting  for  business  or  worship  till 
application  to  the  monthly  meeting  is  first  made; 
and,  when  there  approved,  the  consent  of  the 
quarterly  meeting  be  also  obtained.  Also,  that 
no  meeting  for  worship  intended  to  consist  of 
Friends  belonging  to  two  or  more  monthly  meet- 
ings shall  be  set  up,  until  the  proposal  be  offered 
to  and  approved  by  both  those  monthly  meet- 
ings, and  the  consent  of  their  respective  quar- 
terly meeting  or  meetings  be  obtained  :  when 
the  meeting  proposed,  is  opened,  it  should  be 
attended  by  a  few  solid  Friends,  deputed  by  each 
of  the  said  monthly  meetings.  And,  if  at  any 
time,  it  is  thought  expclient,  that  a  preparative 
meeting  should  be  held  at  the  same  place,  the 
consent  of  the  said  monthly  and  quarterly  meet- 
ings should  be,  in  like  manner,  applied  for  and 
obtained ;  and  the  said  preparative  meeting  should 
be  annexed  to  either  one  or  the  other  of  those 
monthly  meetings,  as  may  be  most  likely  to  con- 
duce to  the  benefit  of  the  individuals  who  com- 
pose it,  and  the  advantage  of  society. 


Books  to  be 
provided  for 
fair  record  of 
minutes. 


It  is  directed,  that  a  book  be  provided  by 
every  monthly  and  quarterly  meeting,  and  fair 
minutes  be  kept  therein,  of  all  matters  which 
shall  come  before  and  be  determined  by  them. 
INlonthly  meetings,  particularly,  are  advised  to 


DISCIPLINE.  33 

attend  to  and  finish  all  such  business  with  care 
and  dispatch,  that  it  may,  at  no  time,  suffer  by    Monthly  toap- 
improper  delay.     And,  if  any  case  under  consi-    Tym^eeUngsfor 
deration  proves  too  weighty  or  difficult  for  them   ^^^^^^*"^^- 
to  determine,  they  should  apply  to  their  respec- 
tive quarterly  meetings  for  assistance  ;  or,  if  the 
circumstances  are  such  as  to  require  it,  refer  it 
thereto  by  minute. 

It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  as  a  general   copies  of  mi. 
rule  in  all  cases,  that  where  any  monthly  or  quar-    "',1^^^^'^'^^^  ^^ 
terly  meeting  has  occasion  for,  and  requests  co-    meetings: 
pies  of  any  of  the  papers,  minutes,  or  records  of 
another  monthly  or  quarterly  meeting,  the  same 
may  accordingly  be  granted. 

Where  any  difference  happens  among  Friends, 
and  the  same  be  entered  in  any  monthly  or  quar-    And  also  to 
terly  meeting-book,  it  is  agreed,  that  if  the  par-    quartei^^and 
ties,  or  either  of  them,  think  that  copies  of  such   Ts'IlJprr^^^^ 
entries  may  be  useful  and  necessary  for  them,   ^^^''^°^- 
and  request  the  same,  such  monthly  and  quar- 
terly meetings  shall  have  a  discretional  power  to 
give  or  refuse  such  copies,  according  to  the  cir- 
cumstances and  motives  attending. 

It  is  agreed,  that  a  suitable  number  of  men   „ 

Representa- 

and  women  be  appointed  in  each  monthly  meet-   t'^'^s  to  be  ap. 

,  .  ^  pointed  in 

mg,  to  attend  the  service  of  the  quarterly  meet-    monthly  meeN 
ing,  with   such  reports  in  writing,    signed  by   '"^'' 
their  clerks,  as  may  be  given  them  in  charge  : 
also,  that  at  least  four  of  each  sex  be  appointed 


vised. 


34  DISCIPLINE. 

And  also  in  cacli  quarterly  meeting,  to  attend  the  yearly 

in  quarterly 

meetings.  meeting. 

And  it  is  earnestly  advised  and  desired,  that 
all  Friends  who  submit  to  these,  or  any  other 

Punctual  at"  .  -  .  ,  ,   .        .     . 

tendance  ad-  services  ot  society,  may  be  punctual  in  their  at- 
tendance thereon  ;  or,  if  prevented  by  sickness, 
or  any  other  unavoidable  occurrence,  that  they 
be  careful  to  send  information  thereof;  also,  that 
those  who  are  under  appointments  to  meetings, 
do  not  withdraw  therefrom  before  the  conclu- 
sion, without  obtaining  the  meetings'  consent. 


And  when  proposals  of  marriage  are  made, 

Neai- relations  .  •        ,     i 

to  parties  in-  II  any  near  relations  oi  the  parties  (who  are  not 

rir^e""mry^be  iu   membership)  are  permitted'  to  be  present, 

seJThb'^^roce-  they  should  withdraw  before  the  meeting  pro- 

^"^^*  ceeds  to  any  other  business. 


Mode  of  treat- 
ing with  such 
who  reside  at  a 
distance. 


It  is  advised  that  if  a  member  under  dealing 
removes  into  the  compass  of  another  monthly 
meeting;  or,  if  previous  to  or  after  such  removal 
the  conduct  of  him  or  her  has  been  such  as  to 
require  their  being  dealt  v/ith....and  their  resi- 
dence be  at  so  great  a  distance  as  to  render  it  in- 
convenient for  the  monthly  meeting  to  which 
they  belong,  it  should  request  that  into  which 
they  are  removed,  to  treat  with  them  according 
to  our  rules,  and  to  report  the  effect  of  its  care; 
when,  if  it  is  satisfoctory,  the  party  should  be 
recommended  by  certificate;  or  if  otherwise,  and 
a  testimony  of  denial  is  issued,  a  copy  thereof 


cipline. 


DISCIPLINE.  35 

should  be  sent  to  the  monthh^  meeting  within 
the  limits  of  which  he  or  she  resides,  and  that 
meeting  is  to  appoint  two  or  more  Friends  to 
inform  them  thereof,  and  of  their  right  of  appeal. 

After  a  charge  against  a  member  for  disor- 
derly conduct  is  entered  on   the   minutes  of  a   offenders  not 

,  ,  .  ,  111-1  to  sit  in  any 

monthly  meetmg,  he  or  she  should  not  be  per-   meetmgfordis- 
mitted  to  sit  in  any  of  our  meetings  for  discipline, 
till  the  case  is  issued,  and  the  monthly  meeting 
satisfied. 

It  is  advised,  that  where  any  transgress  the 
rules  of  our  discipline,  they  may,  without  partial- 
ity, be  admonished  and  sought  in  the  spirit  of 
love  and  divine  charity,  so  that  it  may  be  seen 
by  all,  that  the  restoring  spirit  of  meekness  and 
christian  love  abounds,  before  church  censure 
takes  place,  and  that  a  gospel  spirit  is  the  spring 
and  motive  to  all  our  performances,  as  well  in 
discipline  as  in  worship. 


It  is  earnesdy  recommended,  that  in  con- 
ducting the  aiFairs  of  the  church.  Friends  endea-    Recommended 

•^  '  that  tlie  disci- 

vour  to  manage  them  in  the  peaceable  spirit  and  p^'"^  be  man- 

,  ag-edin  v\isdom 

wisdom  of  Jesus,  with  decency,  forbearance  and  and  with  love  to 

each  other. 

love  to  each  other. 


It  appearing  by  the  minutes  of  the  meeting 
for  suflferings,  that  on  inspection  of  some  of  the   counts  of  suf- 

r         rr     '  11  1        fering-s  to  be 

accounts  or  suftermgs  sent  up  by  the  quarterly   forwarded  to 
meetings,  considerable  difficulty  has  been  occa-   for  s'ufferTnls. 


36 


DISCIPLINE. 


sioned  by  those  accounts,  not  expressing  with 
sufficient  clearness,  what  the  sufferings  men- 
tioned were  for  ;  it  is  now  desired  that  the 
monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  may  in  future 
leave  out  of  their  reports  any  instances  which 
do  not  appear  to  be  clearly  consistent  with  the 
sense  of  this  yearly  meeting  ;  and  that  they  con- 
tinue to  collect  and  send  up  their  accounts  of 
sufferings  annually  as  heretofore  directed. 


Rig-hts  of 
children  defin- 
ed. 


As  to  the  rights  of  children,  whose  parents 
have  been  married  contrary  to  the  rules  of  our 
discipline ;  it  is  agreed,  that  where  either  of 
those  parents  remain  out  of  membership,  their 
children  should  not  be  esteemed  members,  till 
application  for  their  admission  is  made,  either 
by  themselves,  or  by  their  parent,  parents,  or 
guardians  on  their  behalf,  and  the  monthly  meet- 
ing applied  to,  on  a  solid  consideration  of  the 
case,  is  easy  to  admit  them,  or  any  of  them.... 
The  rights  of  children,  born  of  parents  who  have 
been  married  according  to  our  rules  and  disown- 
ed after  their  birth,  are  not  intended  to  be  affected 
by  this  rule  :  neither  the  rights  of  such  minor 
children  as  are  not  of  an  age  to  judge  for  them- 
selves, whose  parents  have  both  condemned  their 
outgoing  in  marriage,  while  either  of  the  said 
parents  retains  his  or  her  right  of  membership. 


Sorcery  to  be  jf  ^y^y  member  of  our  relimous  society,  shall 

testified  -  fc)  .^  ' 

against.  ^pply  to  those  Called  jugglers  or  fortune-tellers, 

or  those  wlio  by  colour  of  any  art  or  skill  what- 


Clerks  to  be 


DISCIPLINE.  37 

soever,  pretend  to  a  knowledge  of  future  events, 
hidden  transactions,  or  where  things  lost  or  sto- 
len may  be  found;  or  if  any  of  our  members  shall 
use,  or  pretend  to  such  art  or  skill,  it  is  advised 
that  they  be  speedily  dealt  with,  and  if  they  do 
not  manifest  a  due  sense  of  their  evil  conduct,  that 
they  be  testified  against. 

A  committee  should  be  annually  appointed 
in  each  of  our  quarterly  and  monthly  meetina:s,   seasonably 

.  ,  ,  changed. 

for  the  nomination  of  clerks  ;  which  may  afford 
opportunity  for  their  being  seasonably  changed, 
and  more  of  our  qualified  members  exercised  in 
those  services. 

As  the  use  and  design  of  preparative  meet- 
ings is  in  general  to  digest  and  prepare  business  parat^e  meeT- 
as  occasion  may  require,  which  may  be  proper  ^"^^" 
to  be  laid  before  the  monthly  meeting.  Friends 
ought  to  be  careful  therein,  not  to  occasion  un- 
necessary delays,  or  undertake  to  decide  on  any 
business  which  claims  attention  and  care  in 
monthly  meetings....  And  when  cases  are  agreed 
to  be  carried  forward,  they  sh  nil:!  be  entered  in 
writing,  and  some  suitable  Friend  or  Friends 
named  to  produce  them  to  the  monthly  meet- 
ings ;  and  proper  notes  thereof  should  be  care- 
fully preserved  by  clerks  of  preparative  meetings, 
as  to  said  meetings  may  appear  useful  and  right. 
But  no  preparative  meeting  shall  take  cognizance 
^llproposals  of  marriage,  this  being  exclusively 
the  business  of  monthlv  meetins:s. 


38 


DONATIONS  AND  SUBSCRIPTIONS. 


EXECUTORS  and  trustees  concerned  in 
wills  and  settlements,  are  advised  to  a  faithful 
and  punctual  discharge  of  their  respective  trusts, 
according  to  the  intent  of  the  donors  and  testa- 
tors ;  and  both  they  and  the  meetings  concerned 
in  any  charitable  gifts,  legacies,  or  bequests,  to 
Appropriation  ^^^q  special  carc  that  these  be  not  perverted  or 
to  be  strictly     appropriated  to  any  other  uses  than  such  as  the 

observed.  *  i       a  j 

donors  or  testators  have  directed  and  enjoined. 
by  legal  settlement,  will,  or  testament. 


39 


FAMILY  VISITS, 


AS  the  visiting  of  Friends  in  their  families 
in  the  openings  of  heavenly  wisdom,  is  a  service 
which  hath  often  been  blessed  to  the  minds  of 
the  visitors  and  visited,  this  meeting  hath  from 
time  to  time  recommended  it  to  the  solid  atten- 
tion of  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  :  and  it 
is  desired,  that  concerns  of  this  nature  may  be 
tenderly  cherished,  and  those  who  are  rightly 
exercised  therein,  encouraged  to  move  forward  in 
due  season,  and  in  a  humble  dependance  on  the 
Shepherd  of  Israel,  who  not  only  puts  his  own 
forth,  but  goes  before  and  rewards  all  who  are 
faithful  to  his  appointments,  with  the  enriching 
reward  of  sweet  comfort  and  solid  peace. 


40 


GAMING  AND  DIVERSIONS. 


AS  our  time  passeth  swiftly  away,  and  our 
delight  ought  to  be  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  ;  it  is 
advised  that  a  watchful  care  be  exercised  over 
our  youth,    to   prevent    their   going    to   stage- 
plays,  horse-races,  music,  dancing,  or  any  such 
fv^rdlxli'ions,   vain  sports  and  pastimes ;  and  being  concerned 
ownment^^^       in  lotteries,  wagering,  or  other  species  of  gam- 
ing.   And  if  any  of  our  members  fall  into  either 
of  these  practices,  and  cannot  be  prevailed  with, 
by  private  labour,  to  decline  them,  the  monthly 
meetings  to  which  the  offenders  belong,  should 
be  informed  thereof,  and,  if  they  be  not  reclaim- 
ed  by    further  labour,    proceed  to   testify  our 
disunity  widi  them. 


41 


LAW. 


IF  any  member  is  complained  of  for  with- 

.  *  Refusal  to  pay 

holding  a  just  debt,  he  or  she  should  be  tenderly  j^^s^  ^^^ts  to 

1  ^  'n    1  '     '  .1.  1        t)^  testified 

urged  to  payment ;  and  if  tins  is  unavailing,  be  against, 
dealt  with  as  in  other  cases  of  disorderly  con- 
duct. And  if  any  of  our  members  appear  unable 
to  satisfy  their  creditors,  they  should  be  advised 
to  call  them  together  without  loss  of  time  ;  and 
submit  the  state  of  their  affairs  to  their  inspec- 
tion: when,  if  the  creditors  apprehend  a  surren-    Debtors  ef- 

.  feels  to  be 

der  of  the  debtors'  effects  to  assignees  for  the  surrendered. 

benefit  of  the  v/hole  to  be  necessary,  let  him  or 

her  be  earnestly  entreated  to  consent,  and,   if 

they  refuse  so  to  do,  the  monthly  meeting  should   Refusing^  so  to 

be  informed  thereof ;  when,  if  the  party  still  per-   disownment, 

sists  in  refusing,  he  or  she  should  be  disowned 

without  too  long  delay. 

But    if  Friends   in    such   difficult   circum- 
stances, manifest  an  honest  intention,  and  shall 
offer  their  all  to  their  creditors  ;   let  compassion   rit>"o beexer 
and  aid  be  extended  to  them  as  brethren,  and  ob-    ^^^^^' 
jects  of  Christian  charity.... having  done  what 
they  can,  no  more  for  the  present  is  justly  to  be 

G 


42 


LAW. 


Attainment  of 

abilitv  to  dis- 
charg-e  de- 
ficieiiciesto  be 
honestly  appli- 
ed  thereto. 


But  no  molest- 
ation to  be  ad- 
mitted while 
deb;  rs  are 
endeavonring 
to  retrieve  their 
circumstances. 


Defaulters  re- 
fusing-to  com- 
ply with  the  re- 
quest of  a 
monthly  meet- 
ing-, to  be  dis- 
owned. 


expected  from  them.  Yet  it  is  the  judgment  of 
this  meeting,  that  if  persons  so  failing  in  their 
circumstances,  should  at  any  time  afterwards  be 
favoured  with  full  ability  to  pay  off  their  defi- 
ciencies, justice  will  require  it  of  them,  notwith- 
standing a  composition  with,  and  legal  discharge 
from  their  creditors  may  have  been  obtained. 
This  is  however  not  meant  to  furnish  any  with 
a  pretext  for  advancing  such  claims  while  per- 
sons so  deficient  are  honestly  labouring  to  re- 
trieve their  circumstances,  nor  until  it  shall 
clearly  appear  to  their  respective  monthly  meet- 
ings, or  to  a  solid  committee  thereof,  that  a  suf- 
ficient ability  is  arrived  at ;  when,  if  they  are 
requested  to  comply,  and  persist  in  refusing,  the 
said  meetings  should  proceed  to  disown  them. 


And  it  is  desired,  that  no  debtors  may  shel- 
ter themselves  under  such  of  our  rules,  as  are 
designed  to  guard  us  against  an  unkind  treat- 
ment of  each  other,  unjustly  hoping  to  be  there- 
by put  out  of  the  reach  of  tne  civil  authority. 


Suing  at  law 
disallowed. 


And  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  if 
any  member  thereof,  disregarding  the  gospel 
order  prescribed  by  our  discipline,  shall  arrest  or 
sue  at  law  another  member  (not  being  under 
such  a  necessity  so  to  do,  as  may  satisfy  the 
overseers  or  other  solid  and  judicious  Friends 
of  the  meeting  to  which  the  latter  belongs)  he  or 
she  in  so  doing,  doth  depart  from  the  peaceable 


LAW.  43 

principle  we  make  profession  of;  and  if  on  being 
treated  with  by  the  monthly  meeting  to  which 
they  belong,  they  cannot  be  prevailed  with  to 
withdraw  the  suit  and  pay  the  costs  thereof, 
they  should  be  disowned. 


MARRIAGES. 


Waitin  for  ^'^  ^^  aclviscd,  that  all  young  or  unmarried 

divine  rounsei     people  in  membership  with  us,  previously  to 
sent  of  parents   their  making  any  procedure  in  order  to  marri- 

recoramended. 

age,  do  seriously  and  humbly  wait  upon  the  Lord 
for  his  counsel  and  direction  in  this  important 
concern  ;  and  when  favoured  with  satisfactory 
clearness  therein,  they  should  early  acquaint 
their  parents  or  guardians  with  their  intentions, 
and  wait  for  their  consent ;  thus  preservation 
from  the  dangerous  bias  of  forward,  brittle,  and 
uncertain  affections,  would  be  experienced  to 
the  real  benefit  of  the  parties,  and  the  comfort  of 
their  friends.... And  it  is  earnestly  recommended 
to  Friends,  that  they  tenderly  and  carefully  watch 
over  the  youth,  and  extend  seasonable  caution 
and  admonition,  as  occasions  may  require. 

Agreed  that  all  single  persons,  being  about 
Sl'^n  i™la,f  to  "^^^^y  ^t  a  distance  from  home,  do  take  care 
cev^fficates^of  ^^  procurc  Certificates  from  the  monthly  meeting 
their  clean  ess,   ^w  bcloug  to,  of  their  ridit  of  membership,  and 

and  obtaining  ^  D        '  f>  r? 

parents  con-       clcamess  from  any  other  person  in  respect  to 

seiit   -  here  .  . 

practicable.        marriage,  and  also  that  they  obtain  the  mind  of 
their  parents  or  guardians  therein ;  and  that  none 


MARRIAGES.  45 

be  permitted  to  join  themselves  in  marriage  un- 
til such  certificates,  and  the  consent  of  their  pa- 
rents or  guardians  thereto,  be  also  signified  in 
person,  or  by  writing,  where  it  is  practicable, 
or  may  be  reasonably  obtained. 

And  no  monthly  meeting  ought  to  permit 
any  marriages  to  be  proposed  in  the  said  meet- 
ing, sooner  than  a  year  after  the  death  of  husband 
or  wife. 


It  is  the  sense  of  this  meetinsr,  that  if  any 

,  J       .    .       .  .  .  "^     All  marriages 

member  do  jom  in  marriage  with  such  as  are   contrary  to  our 

...  .  .  order  to  be  tes- 

not  m  membership  with  us,  or  in  any  other  way  tified  against. 
than  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the 
monthly  meeting,    they  should   be    dealt    with 
agreeably  to  our  discipline,  and,  if  not  brought 
to  a  sense  of  their  error,  disowned. 


On  serious  consideration  concerning  mar-  ^o  misdemea- 
riages,  this  meeting  being  tender  in  that  respect,  sured  u^^  ^^^^' 
advises,  that  no  misdemeanor  be  treasured  up, 
against  a  person  until  the  time  of  present- 
ing marriage,  and  then  started,  though  per- 
haps long  before  done,  and  known  to  those  who 
so  object  to  it  at  that  time,  which  is  a  wrong 
thing,  and  should  be  checked  and  discouraged 
in  all  meetings. 

It  is  recommended  to  monthly  meetings,  that   i^^'^^'rril^'^^ 
according  to  the  ancient  decent  practice  amon2:st   "^^  ^"^  ^'^'""^^ ''' 

,  *■  '^         the  same 

Friends,  they  take  care  that  such  men  and  wo-  i^o^se. 


46  MARRIAGES. 

men  Friends  who  make  suit  or  proposals  of  mar- 
riage one  to  the  other,  do  not  dwell  in  the  same 
house,  from  the  time  that  they  begin  to  be  so 
concerned,  until  the  marriage  is  accomplished. 

Advised,  that  marriages  be  not  accomplished 

Marriages  not  in  or  immediately  after  any  of  our  monthly  meet- 
to  be  accom-         .  ,  *        .  n    i         •  n      . 

piished  at         mgs,  or  Other  meetings  ot  busmess,  or  on  lirst 
iHgror^o'n  iiist  days.    And  it  is  desn^ed  that,  on  these  occasions, 
^^^'  Friends  in  affluent  circumstances,  particularly, 

may  be  careful  to  set  a  becoming  and  encourag- 
ing example  of  moderation  ;  and  that  all  may 
be^oSved!^  avoid  uoneccssarily  expensive  entertainments 
and  large  companies,  and  especially  guard  against 
inviting  such  as  guests,  who  are  unlikely  to 
conform  to  the  order  of  our  religious  society. 

Let  such  of  our  members  be  admonished, 
Srtomaniaee  ^^^^  ^^^P  couipauy,  in  ordcr  for  marriage,  with 
with  persons      persoDs  uot  of  our  socicty  ;   or  with  anv  bound 

not  in  nr^ember-    -i  -^ 

ship  or  ser-        scrvauts  or  apprentices,  v.  ithout  the  leave  of  their 

vants,  Sccwith-  *  ^ 

out  leave.  masters  or  mistresses ;  or  who  are  either  present 

themselves,  or  consent  to  their  children  beingpre- 

scnt  at  marriages  of  those  not  in  membership, 

which  are  accomplished  by  the  assistance  of  a 

inar^r"a^ef  of      pricst.  And  whcrc  any  are  present  at  the  marri- 

r/mir^o^er!     agc  of  a  member,   accomplished  either  by  the 

l^^a^nsf^^^^^^   official  interference  of  a  priest,  or  in  any  other  way 

out  of  our  comely  order,  they  are  to  be  dealtwith, 

and  where  they  cannot  be  brought  to  a  sense  of 

their  error,  let  them  be  testified  against. 


MARRIAGES.  47 

It  is  the  iiidfirment  of  this  meeting,  that  where   Consent  not  to 

*'       '^  .    .  be  retracted 

parents  or  eruardians  have  approved  the  visits  or    without  satis- 

IP  1-    •  factory  rea- 

addresses  of  a  man  (a  member  of  our  religious   sons. 
d^ciety)  to  any  of  their  children  or  those  under 
their  care,  that  they  do  not  retract  the  same, 
without  giving  such  reasons  as  -hall  be  satisfacto- 
ry to  the  monthly  meeting  whereto  they  belong. 

For  the  accomplishment  of  marriage,  it  is 
directed  that  the  followins;  order  be  observed....    Order  pre- 

'-'  scr.be  n  tor  the 

If  both  the  parties  belono;  to  the  same  monthly    accomplish- 

^  *-  ment  of  mar- 

meeting,  the  men's  and  women's  monthly  meet-    riage. 

ings  should  be  informed  of  their  intentions;  and 
the  man  at  a  proper  time  be  accompanied  into 
the  women's  meeting,  by  a  suitable  Friend  no- 
minated thereto.... there  the  parties  are  first  to 
declare,  that  ''  With  Divine  permission,  and 
Friends'  approbation,  they  intend  marriage  with 
each  other".... whereupon,  two  women  Friends 
should  be  appointed  by  minute  to  make  the  usual 
inquiry  respecting  the  woman ;  and  then  pro- 
ceeding to  the  men's  meeting,  they  should  re- 
peat (or  make)  the  same  declaration  there,  and 
two  men  Friends  be  in  like  manner  appointed  to 
inquire  concerning  the  man.  If  the  parties  have 
parents  or  guardians  present,  their  consent 
should  be  expressed  ;  or,  if  the  man  is  a  mem- 
ber of  another  monthly  meeting,  the  consent  of 
his  parents,  if  he  have  any,  should  be  produced 
in  writing,  either  then  or  at  the  next  meeting, 
with  a  certificate  from  his  monthly  meeting  of 
his  clearness  from  other  like  engagements.  If  the     . 


48 


MARRIAGES. 


Garefiil  inquiry 
and  clear  re- 
port to  be 
made. 


Overseers  to 
be  appointed. 


woman  be  a  widow  having  children,  two  or  more 
friends  should  beappointed  in  the  meetingof  which 
she  is  a  member,  to  see  that  the  rights  of  her 
children  are  legally  secured.  At  the  next  mee^in^ 
if  the  committees  report  that  careful  eiiquiry  has 
been  made,  and  no  obstruction  to  the  further 
proceeding  of  the  parties  appears,  the  meeting 
is  to  leave  them  at  liberty  to  accomplish  their 
marriage  according  to  our  rules,  and  appoint 
two  Friends  of  each  sex,  to  attend  and  see  that 
good  order  is  observed. 


Intemperance 
or  imm\. derate 
feasting,  &c  to 
be  guarded  a- 
gainst. 


Overseers  to 
make  faithful 
report. 


It  is  further  advised,  that  the  said  marriage 
be  accomplished  decently,  gravely,  and  weigh- 
tily ;  and  that  the  parties  themselves,  their  pa- 
rents and  others  concerned,  do  take  care  at  the 
houses  or  places  where  they  go  after  the  meeting 
is  over,  that  no  reproach  arise,  or  occasion  of 
offence  be  given,  by  any  intemperate  or  immo- 
derate feasting  or  drinking,  or  by  any  unseemly, 
wanton,  or;^ude  discourses  or  actions  ;  but  that 
all  behave  with  such  sobriety  as  becomes  a  people 
fearing  God;  and  that  the  company  retire  to  their 
homes  in  seasonable  time.  And  if  any  thing  to 
the  contrary  is  observed,  the  overseers,  or  other 
concerned  Friends  present,  ought  as  speedily  as 
they  conveniently  can,  to  take  such  aside  who 
make  any  breach  upon  good  order,  and  in  bro- 
therly love  admonish  them  to  a  better  behaviour; 
and  the  said  overseers  are  to  make  report  to  the 
next  monthly  meeting,  whether  this  advice  con- 


MARRIAGES.  49 

cer n in g  decency  and  order  be  observed,  and  take 
care  that  the  marriage  certificate  be  recorded. 

The  form  of  which  certificate  shall  be  as  fol- 
lows.... 


Whereas,  A.  B.  of ,   in  the 

county  of ,  in ...,  son 

of  C.B.  of and 

H.    his   wife ;    and  D.  E.    daughter   of   F.   E. 

of and  M.  his  wife, 

having  declared  their  intentions  of  marriage  with    Form  of  the 

-  certificate. 

each  other,  before  a  monthly  meeting  of  the  reli- 
gious society  of  Friends,  held  at  

,    according  to  the   good    order    used 

among  them  [where  the  parties  are  under  the 
care  of  parents  or  guardians  add"]  and  having 
consent  of  parents  or  guardians  concerned  [as  the 
case  is)  their  said  proposal  of  marriage  vvas  al- 
lowed of  by  the  said  meeting.  Now  these  are 
to  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  for  the  full 
accomplishment  of  their    said    intentions,    this 

day  of  the month,  in  the  year  of 

our  Lord ,   they,  the  said  A.  B.  and 

D.  E.  appeared  in  a  public  meeting  of  the  said 

people,  held  at aforesaid;  and  the 

said  A.  B.  taking  the  said  D.  E.  by  the  hand, 
did,  on  this  solemn  occasion,  openly  declare,- 
that  he  took  her,  the  said  D.  E.  to  be  his  v*/ife, 
promising,  with  Divine  assistance  to  be  unto  her 
a  loving  and  faithful  husband  until  death  should 
separate  them  ;  and  then,  in  the  same  assembly, 


so  MARRIAGES. 

the  said  D.  E.  did  in  like  manner  declare,  that 
she  took  him,  the  said  A.  B.  to  be  her  husband, 
promising,  with  Divine  assistance  to  be  unto  him 
a  loving  and  faithful  wife,  until  death  should 
separate  them.  And  moreover,  they,  the  said 
A.  B.  and  D.  E.  (she  according,  to  the  custom 
of  marriage,  assuming  the  name  of  her  husband) 
did  as  a  further  confirmation  thereof,  then  and 
there  to  these  presents  set  their  hands. 

And  we  whose  names  are  also  hereunto  sub- 
scribed, being  present  at  the  solemnization 
of  the  said  marriage  and  subscription,  have, 
as  witnesses  thereto,  set  our  hands  the  day 
and  year  above  written. 

A.  B. 

D.  B. 

That  the  marriage  of  persons  too  near  akin 

Muina.^e  be-     T^^^Jy  ^s  mucli  as  in  US  lics,  be  prevented,  this 

tueen  first  cou-  •  i     j  ^^      .  •  i     ^ 

sins  and  with  mectHig  concludcs,  that  no  marriage  between 
J^r^^disaUow-'  first-cousins,  nor  between  a  man  and  his  deceased 
^^'  wife's  half  sister,  shall  be  permitted  among  us ; 

and  that,  where  any  person  or  persons  so  cir- 
cumstanced shall  intermarry,  their  so  doing  shall 
be  considered  as  a  relinquishment  of  their  con- 
nection with  the  society,  and  they  be  accordingly 
disowned  by  the  monthly  meetings  of  which  they 
meetings  con-  are  members.  And  it  is  further  concluded,  that, 
if  any  such  persons  shall  afterwards  apply  to  the 
monthly  meeting  which  disowned  him  or  her  for 
reinstatement,  the  said  meeting  is  not  to  accede 
to  the  proposal,  until  the  case  shall  be  repre- 


sent necessary 
previous  to  re- 
instatement. 


MARRIAGES.  51 

sented  to  the  quarterly  meeting,  and  its  consent 
obtained,  after  being  well  assured  that  the  parties 
are  brought  to  a  due  sense  of  their  transgression, 
manifested  by  uprightness  of  life  and  conversa- 
tion. 

It  is  advised  that  parents  exercise  a  religious 
care  in  watching  over  their  children,  and  endea- 
vour to  guard  them  against  improper  or  unequal 
connections  in  marriage  ;  that  they  be  not  anxi- 
ous to  obtain  for  them  large  portions  and  settle- 
ments, but  that  they  be  joined  with  persons  of 
religious  inclinations,  suitable  dispositions  and 
diligence  in  their  business,  which  are  necessary 
to  a  comfortable  life  in  a  married  state. 

The  increase  of  the  breaches  of  our  testi- 
mony, in  going  from  amongst  us  in  the  weighty 
engagement  of  marriage,  being  often  for  want  of 
cue  care  in  parents,  and  those  who  have  the  im- 
portant charge  of  educating  the  youth  under  their 
trust,  early  to  admonish  and  instruct  them  in  the 
principles  of  truth,  and  impress  their  minds  with 
the  duty  of  religiously  observing  them;  as  much 
as  possible  restraining  them  from  such  company 
as  is  likely  to  entangle  their  affections  in  an  im- 
proper manner ;  we  therefore  tenderly  advise  Jarrtowds 
Friends  in  all  quarters  to  an  increasing  care  over  ^^g^^^®^^^  ^"^' 
the  youth,  that  the  consistency  of  our  principles 
in  all  respects  with  the  nature  of  true  religion, 
may  be  impressed  on  their  tender  minds,  by 
upright  examples,  as  well  as  by  precepts ;  and 


52 


MARRIAGES. 


that  where  there  is  apparent  danger  of  the  aftec- 
tions  of  any  being  improperly  entangled,  and  the 
care  of  parents  or  guardians,  or  those  who  have 
their  oversight,  appears  not  sufficient  to  prevent 
their  taking  imprudent  steps  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  marriage,  care  be  taken,  timely  to  apply 
for  the  help  of  their  friends. 


Parents  con- 
senting to  or 
conniving'  at 
childrens 
transgressing 
the  discipline 
to  be  testified 
against. 


Monthly  meetings  are  authorised  to  give  forth 
testimonies  of  denial  against  such  parents  or 
guardians  who  consent  to,  connive  at,  or  encou- 
rage the  marriages  of  their  children  and  those 
under  their  care  (members  of  our  religious  so- 
ciety) contrary  to  the  good  order  established 
amongst  us;  if  after  Christian  and  brotherly  la- 
bour with  them,  they  cannot  be  brought  to  a  due 
sense  of  their  error,  and  a  satisfactory  acknow- 
ledgement of  the  same. 


MEETING  HOUSES, 


It  is  recommended  to  quarterly  and  month- 
ly meetings  to  make  timely  and  careful  inspec- 
tion  into  the  situation   of  the  titles  of  meetins:   Timely  care 

^     advised  tor  re- 

houses,  burial  grounds,  and  other  estates  which  newaiof 
have  been  vested  in  trustees,  and  by  them  held 
for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  society  at  large, 
or  of  any  of  those  meetings  ;  so  that  if  it 
should  appear  needful  by  the  death  of  any  such 
trustees  or  otherwise,  due  and  seasonable  care 
may  be  taken  to  appoint  some  others  to  the 
trust ;  that  future  difficulties  and  the  risk  of 
being  deprived  of  such  estates  may  be  avoid- 
ed. And  it  is  further  recommended  that  quar- 
terly and  monthly  meetings  respectively  as  the 
case  may  require,  keep  exact  records  of  all 
such  trusts  and  conveyances,  and  also  that  a 
clear  and  regular  account  be  kept  by  each  res-  ^.^^^  arc-ui^?^^ 
pective   meeting;,   of  the  place  where,   and   the   account  to  be 

*  .  ^  *  kept  111  e  acii 

persons  with  whom  the  papers,  minutes  and  re-    meeting^. 
cords  belonging  to    our    religious  society    are 
from  time  to  time  deposited  ;   wherein  due  care 
should  be  taken  to  lodge  them  with  suitable 
Friends. 


54. 


■■i^ti5jj^« 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS, 


Institution  of 
the  meeting. 


IN  order  that  this  yearly  meeting  with  its 
several  branches,  might  be  properly  represent- 
ed in  the  intervals  thereof,  on  emergent  occa- 
sions,, a  meeting  was  institued  anno  1756,  by 
the  name  of  the  ''Meeting  for  Sufferings;"  which 
it  was  agreed  should  consist  of  twelve  Friends 
appointed  by  the  yearly  meeting  (living  in  or 
near  Philadelphia,  for  the  convenience  of  getting 
soon  together)  and  also  of  four  Friends  chosen 
out  of  each  of  the  quarterly  meeetings  ;  who  were 
directed  to  meet  together  in  Philadelphia  forth- 
with, for  the  regulation  of  its  future  meetings, 
which  are  subject  to  the  following  rules  : 


Its  services 
and  duties. 


First,  The  said  meeting  shall  keep  fair  mi- 
nutes of  all  its  proceedings,  and  annually  lay  them 
before  the  yearly  meeting. 


Second.      No  less  number  than  twelve  of  the 
'W  members  attending  shall   constitute  a  meeting 

capable  of  transacting  any  business. 


Third.  On  all  occasions  of  uncommon 
importance,  previous  notice  thereof  shall  be 
given  or  sent  to  all  the  members. 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS.  55 

Fourth,  In  case  of  the  decease  of  any 
Friend  or  Friends,  nominated  either  by  the 
yearly  meeting  or  quarterly  meetings,  or  of 
their  declining  or  neglecting  their  attendance  for 
the  space  of  twelve  months,  the  meeting  for  suf- 
ferings (if  it  be  thought  expedient)  may  choose 
others  in  his  or  their  stead,  to  serve  to  the  time  of 
the  next  yearly  meeting,  or  till  the  places  of  those 
who  have  represented  the  quarterly  meetings 
shall  be  supplied  by  new  appointments. 

Fifth,  The  said  meeting  may  sit  on  its  own 
adjournments,  and  order  these,  as  well  as  the 
times  of  its  stated  meetings  (if  these  do  not  ex- 
ceed three  months)  according  to  the  business 
before  them. 

Sixth,  The  said  meeting  is  not  to  meddle 
with  any  matter  of  faith  or  discipline,  which  has 
not  been  determined  by  the  yearly  meeting. 

The  further  services  confided  to  the  said 
meeting  for  sufferings,  are  : 

First,     In  general  to  represent  this  yearly 
meeting,  and  to  appear  on  its  behalf  in  any  cases   ficel'!^^^'"^'' 
where   the   interest   or  reputation  of  our  reli- 
gious society  may  render  it  needful. 

Second,  To  take  the  oversight  and  inspec- 
tion of  all  writings  proposed  to  be  printed  rela- 
tive to  our  religious  principles  or  testimonies  ; 


56  MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 

and  to  promote  or  suppress  the  same  at  their 
discretion  ;  also  to  print  and  distribute  any  wri- 
tings already  published  by  the  society,  or  which 
may  be  offered  for  inspection  as  aforesaid,  and 
approved. 

Third.  To  inspect  and  explain  titles  to 
land,  or  other  estate,  belonging  to  any  of  our 
meetings ;  also  charitable  legacies  and  dona- 
tions ;  and  to  give  such  advice  respecting  the 
same  as  may  appear  to  be  necessary. 

Fourth,  To  receive  from  the  several  quar- 
terly meetings  their  annual  accounts  of  suffer- 
ings, and  also  such  memorials  concerning  de- 
ceased Friends  as  those  meetings  may  have  con- 
curred with  :  that  when  examined  and  approved 
they  may  be  laid  before  the  yearly  meeting. 

Fifth,  To  extend  such  advice  and  assis- 
tance to  any  individuals  under  sufferings  for  our 
testimonies,  as  their  cases  may  require  ;  and,  if 
necessary,  to  apply  to  the  government,  or  per- 
sons in  authority,  on  their  behalf. 

Sixth,  To  correspond  with  the  meeting 
for  suRerings  in  London  or  elsewhere,  on  the 
common  concerns  of  the  society. 

On  soild  consideration  it  is  agreed  that 
though  none  are  properly  members  of  the  mee- 
ting   for    sufferings,    but   such   who   are   ap- 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS.  5? 

pointed  by  this  yearly  meeting,  or  by  the  seve- 
ral quarterly  meetings  ;  yet,  that  approved  mi- 
nisters, and  members  of  any  other  meeting  for 
sufferings  corresponding  with  this,  be  permitted 
to  attend  when  they  be  inclined  so  to  do. 


58 


MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP 


Unbecoming' 
behaviour  in 
meeting's  re- 
quires admoni- 
tion. 


DEAR  Friends,  keep  all  your  meetings  in 
the  authority,  wisdom,  and  power  of  truth,  and 
unity  of  the  blessed  Spirit;  and  the  God  of  peace 
be  with  you.  And  it  is  advised,  that  such  as 
come  late  to  meetings,  or,  when  there  fall  asleep, 
or  are  restless,  or  do  not  stay  in  the  meeting, 
but  go  forth  unnecessarily,  or  otherwise  demean 
themselves  unbecoming  our  holy  profession  on 
those  solemn  occasions,  be  tenderly  and  season- 
ably admonished. 


Zeal  in  the 
performance  of 
divine  worship 
recommended. 


We  exhort  all  to  a  Christian  exercise  and 
zeal  in  the  performance  of  worship  to  Almighty- 
God  ;  and  as  we  are  not  capable  in  our  own 
strength  to  perform  this  great  duty,  we  recom- 
mend to  a  diligent  waiting  in  true  silence  and 
retirement  of  mind,  for  the  renewed  sense  of  the 
inward  power  and  virtue  of  his  Spirit,  whereby 
we  shall  be  qualified  to  worship  him  in  an  ac- 
ceptable manner.  Let  our  faithfulness  and  sin- 
cerity herein  appear,  by  the  humility,  meekness 
and  circum:-pecticn  of  our  lives  and  conversa- 
tion, adorning  the  doctrines  and  principles  of 
truth,  as  they  were  declared  by  Christ  and  his 


MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP.  59 

apostles:  those  who  have  been  preserved  in 
faithfulness  therein,  having  to  testify  from 
that  experience  which  cannot  deceive,  that  it 
hath  been  very  profitable  ;  and  therefore  cannot 
be  easy  without  encouraging  and  putting  for- 
ward their  children,  apprentices  and  servants 
to  this  religious  duty,  as  well  as  other  be- 
haviour suitable  thereunto.  And  if  this  use- 
ful practice  was  more  generally  attended  to,  it 
would  do  more  for  us  and  them  than  any 
outward  acquisition  of  wealth ;  and  without 
doubt,  some  of  those  who  have  been  placed  un- 
der our  direction,  may  with  thankfulness  have 
to  view  our  pious  care  in  taking  them  from 
worldly  business  to  seek  a  city  eternal  in  the 
heavens. 

This  meeting  recommends,  that  Friends  who 
are  exercised  in  the  discipline,  would  early  ex-     « 
tend  their  brotherly  love  and  care,  in  visiting 
such  amongst  us  who  neglect  their  duty  in  at- 
tending our  meetings  for  public  worship.     And   ofthlsincfm-^^ 
as   a  wilful  neglect  of  this  important  duty  is  a   Stfeda-''^^ 
manifest  evidence  of  ingratitude  to  the  Divine   ^^"^^^• 
Being,  contrary  to  the  example  and  practice  of 
the  primitive  believers  in  Christ,  and  our  reli- 
gious testimony  :   it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting, 
that  as  such  who  are  thus  insensible  of  their  re- 
ligious duty,  disunite   themselves  from  Chris- 
tian fellowship  with  Friends,  monthly  meetings 
after  having  fully  discharged  their  duty  towards 
them,  and  finding  their  endeavours  to  reclaim 


Drowsiness  in 
meeting's,  one 
cause  of  stum- 


60  MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP. 

them  ineffectual,  should  testify  our  disunion 
with  them. 

As  the  minds  of  many  are  turned  towards 
Friends,  and  the  apppearance  of  a  drowsy  spirit 
in  our  rehgious  meetings,  is  offensive,  and  may 
biing- to  sober    be  a  cause  of  stumbling  to  sober   inquirers,  it 

mquurers.  ^  ^      ^  ^ 

is  earnestly  desired  that  this  weakness  may  not 
exist  among  us,  and  as  indulgence  therein  must 
necessarily  have  a  disqualifying  effect,  it  is  the 
sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that  quar- 
terly, monthly,  and  other  meetings  should  be 
cautious  of  employing  such  members  in  the 
weighty  services  of  the  discipline. 


6i 


MEMORIALS. 


QUARTERLY  and  monthly  meetings  are 

...  .  .  Account  of  the 

directed  to  furnish  this  meeting  annually   with   dece  .pe  ofmin- 
an  account  of  thedecease  of  such  of  their  members   ders  to  be  for- 
inthestation  of  ministers  or  elders,  as  may  haveta-  ^^^^  ^  ' 
ken  place  within  the  year.     And  if  any  monthly 
meeting  should  under  solid  consideration,   be- 
lieve it  necessary  to  prepare  a  memorial  con- 
cerning  any  deceased  Friend  who  had  been  a 
member  thereof,  it  is  to  go  to  the  respective   Memorials pre» 
quarterly  meeting,   where,  being  duly  weighed   leinwlh^^^^ 
and  agreed  to,  it  is  then  to  be  forwarded  to  the   sufttrm|s°^ 
meeting  for  sufferings,  for  inspection  and  appro- 
bation, previous  to  its  being  laid  before  this  meet* 
ing. 


62 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS,  AND  MEET 
INGS  OF  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 


Nursing-  fa- 
thers in  the 
truth  to  ex- 
tend due  care 
in  love  and 
tenderness. 


IT  is  our  earnest  desire,  that  both  ministers 
and  elders  may  be  as  nursing  fl^^itheis  and  mo- 
thers to  those  that  are  yoUx.g  in  the  ministry, 
and  with  all  care  and  diligence  advise  and  ad- 
monish them,  and  if  they  see  occasion,  reprove 
them  in  a  lender  and  Christian  spirit,  according 
to  the  rules  of  our  discipline  and  counsel  of 
Friends  in  that  respect ;  also  exhort  them  fre- 
quently to  read  the  holy  scriptures,  and  earnestly 
seek  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  to  open  the 
mysteries  thereof,  that,  abiding  in  a  simple  and 
patient  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  and  keep- 
ing dovv^n  to  the  openings  of  divine  love  and  life 
in  themselves,  they  may  vvitness  a  gradual  growth 
in  their  gifts,  and  be  preserved  from  extending 
their  declarations  further  than  they  find  the  life 
and  pow  er  of  truth  to  bear  them  up. 


And  our  advice  to  all  our  ministers  is,  that 
Ministers  mis-   t|^ey  bc  frequent  in  readino;  the  scriptures  of  the 

applynig-  or  *'  ^  .  . 

diaving^^un-       old   and   ncw    testaments;    and   if    any  in   the 

sound  in- 
ferences from     course  of  their  ministry,  shall  misapply,  or  draw 

the  scriptures ;  i    •     p  i       •  r 

unsound  inierences  or  wrong  conclusions  irom 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS.  63 

the  text,  or  shall  misbehave  themselves  in  point 
of  conduct  or  conversation,  let  them  be  admon^  Orformisbe- 
ished  in  love  and  tenderness  by  the  elders  or  admonished^ 
overseers  where  they  live,  and  if  they  prove  re- 
fractory and  refuse  to  acknowledge  their  faults, 
let  them  be  further  dealt  with,  in  the  wisdom  of 
truth,  as  the  case  may  require. 

As  the  occasion  of  our  religious  meetings 

.  .  Decency  and 

is  solemn,  a  care  should  ever  be  maintained  to   order  to  be 

,  .  1  •  1  IT         nnaintained  in 

guard  agamst  any  tlimg  that  would  tend  to  dis-    all  our  meet- 
order  or  confusion  therein.     When  any  think  ^"^^' 
they  have  aught  against  what  is  publicly  deliver- 
ed, they  should  speak  to  the  party  privately  and 
orderly  ;    and  if  any  shall  oppose  a  ministring  po^sition  to  mi- 
Friend  in  his  or  her  preaching  or  exhortation,   "yfr^qu^res''" 
or  keep  on  the  hat  or  show  any  remarkable  dis-   nSn^^^"^°° 
like  to  such  when  engaged  in  prayer,  let  them  be 
speedily  admonished  in  such  manner  as  may  be 
requisite,   unless  the  person  against  whom  the 
uneasiness  is  expressed  has  been  disowned  by  a 
monthly  meeting,   or  his  or  her  public  appear- 
ances disapproved  by  the  elders. 

This  meeting  agrees  that  each  monthly  meet- 
ing choose  two  or  more  Friends  of  each  sex  to 
sit  with  the  ministers,  and  they  together  to  com-  Eiders  to  be 
pose  a  meeting  to  be  denominated  a  preparative 
meeting  of  ministers  and  elders;  taking  care  that 
the  Friends  chosen  for  that  service,  be  prudent, 
solid  Friends,  and  that  they  do  carefully  dis- 
charge the  trust  confided  to  them. 


64  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

When  there  is  occasion  for  the  appointment 
Mode  of  ap.  of  One  or  more  elders  in  any  meeting,  the  pro- 
poinunge  ers.  p^^^j  ^j-  separating  a  committee  to  consider  the 
subject,  should  be  first  made  in  a  monthly  meet- 
ing, and  when  there  united  with,  a  proper  num- 
ber of  Friends  should  be  appointed ;  and  in  this 
committee,  the  names  of  the  persons  who  may 
be  thought  suitable,  should  be  first  mentioned, 
and,  when  concurred  with,  reported  to  the 
monthly  meeting,  without  consulting  the  per- 
son or  persons,  or  otherwise  divulging  it.  If, 
upon  due  consideration,  the  nomination  is  ap- 
proved, a  minute  should  be  made,  and  a  copy 
thereof  forwarded  to  the  quarterly  meeting  of 
ministers  and  elders. 

,  When  any  Friend  has  frequently  appeared 

in  our  religious  meetings  as  a  minister,  and  the 
preparative  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders 
apprehends    that  it    is    seasonable  the  subject 

Manner  in  ^  * 

which  minis-      should  claim  the  attention  of  the  monthly  meet- 

ters  are  to  be       .  .....  r       ^  •    i         ^ 

imended.  iHg  for  disciplmc,  ol  which  the  person  is  a 
member,  they  are  at  liberty  to  mention  the  mat- 
ter, therein,  and  if  the  monthly  meeting  after  de- 
liberate consideration,  should  unite  in  believing 
that  a  gift  in  the  ministry  has  been  committed  to 
him  or  her,  a  minute  expressive  thereof  should 
be  forwarded  to  the  quarterly  meeting  of  minis- 
ters and  elders,  where,  the  case  being  so- 
lidly weighed,  and  the  sense  of  the  monthly 
meeting  concurred  with,  information  thereof 
should  be   sent  to  the  preparative   meeting  of 


rcconrii 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS.  65 

ministers  and  elders,  of  which  the  party  is  to 
be  a  member.  And  until  the  approbation  of 
the  quarterly  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  is 
obtained,  no  such  Friend  is  to  be  received  as  a 
minister,  nor  permitted  to  sit  in  the  meetings  of 
ministers  and  elders,  nor  travel  abroad  as  a  min- 
ister.    And  no  such  approved  minister  is  to  ap-   Not  to  appoint 

.  p     i_  meetings  witli- 

point  any  meeting  out  or  the  limits  oi  the  quar-   out  monthly 
terly  meeting  to  which  he  or  she  belongs,  with-   ^omeuf.  ^ 
out  a  certificate  from  the  monthly  meeting  for 
discipUne  or  the  concurrence  thereof. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  this  meeting  that  when 
any  Friend  appointed  to  the  station  of  an  elder  be- 
lieves him  or  herself  called  to  the  ministry,  and    i^gtnVhe^mu' 
shall  have  appeared  frequently  in  that  capacity  in  ^iSvom 'st: 
our  public  religious  meetings,  they  should  with-   ^^^^  meetings, 
draw  from  the  meetings  of  ministers  and  elders. 

When  any  approved  minister  apprehends  it  ^j^-^^^^^  ^^„^ 
to  be  his  or  her  duty  to  travel  in  truth's  service  cemedtotra- 

•^  vel  are  to  ob- 

out  of  the  limits  of  their  quarterly  meeting,  he   taincertifi- 

cates,  or  mi- 

or  she  is  to  open  their  concern  in  the  monthly   nutes, 
meeting  to  which  they  belong,  and  obtain  a  cer- 
tificate or  minute  (as  the  occasion  may  be)  of 
its  unity  and  concurrence,  directed  to  Friends  And  return 
within  the  parts  proposed  to  be  visited  :    And  it  ^ly. 
is  advised,  that  when  the  service  is  accomplish- 
ed, the  said  meeting  be  informed  thereof,  and 
the   certificate    returned   without   unnecessary 
delay. 


66  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

General  reiigi-  AjTreed  that  when  any  Friend  is  religiously 

ous  visits  be-  o  •'  ^    ^ 

yond  our  Units    concemcd  to  make  a  general  visit  to  the  meet- 
to  have  the  r      •  r 

concurrence  of  ings  of  Friends  or  parts  beyond  the  limits  oi 

a  quarterly  ,  i  i        •         i  •r 

meeting.  tliis  yearly  meeting,  and  has  obtained  a  certin- 

cate  for  that  purpose  from  the  monthly  meeting 
of  which  he  or  she  is  a  member,  that  the  con- 
cern be  also  laid  before  the  respective  quarterly 
meeting  for  its  concurrence  and  indorsement,  to 

The  certifi-       be   simed,   if  for  a  man,   by  the  clerk  of  the 

catesto  be  en-  ^  , 

dorsed.  mcu's  meeting  only ;  but,   if  for  a  woman,  by 

the  clerks  of  the  men's  and  women's  meetings. 

The  ministers  and  elders  of  each  monthly 
meeting  are  to  meet  once  in  three  months  at 
such  time  and  place  as  the  monthly  meeting 
may  direct,  in  the  capacity  of  a  preparative  meet- 
ing of  ministers  and  elders  ;  when,  after  a  time 
of  solid  retirement,  the  queries  addressed  to  such 
meetings  are  to  be  read  and  considered,  and 
distinct  answers  made  to  them  in  writing:,  which, 

Preparative  o '  » 

meetings  of      when  si2:ned  bv  the  clerk,   are  to  be  conveyed 

ministers  and  o  ^  '  j 

elders.. ..how      to   the  cusuing  quarterly  meeting  of  ministers 

to  be  conduct- 
ed, and  elders  by  two  or  more  Friends  to  be  men- 
tioned in  the  report  as  representatives  ;  but  if, 
in  the  course  of  inquiry,  any  deficiency  has  ap- 
peared, care  should  be  taken  that  it  be  re- 
medied. 


And  in  the  said  quarterly  meetings,   the  que- 

meetlng  of        ^i^s  are  also  to  be  read  with  the  answers  which 

ienS'  '^^      ^^^  brought   from  their  preparative  meetings, 

and  the  state  of  the  members  weightily  consi- 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS.  67 

dered,  that  where  occasion  requires  it,  advice 
and  counsel  may  be  seasonably  extended  ;  and 
once  a  year  those  answers  comprised  in  a  writ- 
ten report  and  signed  by  the  clerk,  are  to  be  for- 

,     ,  ,  ,  .  ^        .    .  -    Yearly  meeU 

warded  to  the  yearly  meetmg  of  mmisters  and   ing  of  minis- 
elders,  by  four  or  more  Friends  appointed  as  re- 
presentatives :   in  this  meeting  the  queries  are 
also  to  be  read  with  the  answers  from  the  seve- 
ral quarters,  and  the  state  of  this  part  of  the  so- 
ciety being  collected  and  considered,   advices 
adapted  thereto,  may,  if  requisite,  be  issued  to 
the  subordinate  meetings  of  the  like  kind.    This 
meeting  is  to  appoint  a  suitable  number  of  el- 
ders to   take  the  oversight  of  the  meetings  for 
worship  held  in  Philadelphia  during  the  time  of 
the  yearly  meeting.    And  such  ministers  as  pro- 
pose to   go  in  truth's  service  beyond  sea,  after  j^^^ieu^imir' 
obtaining;  a  certificate  of  the  concurrence  of  the    engagements 

o  to  cross  the 

monthly   meetins:,  indorsed  by  the  respective   seas,  are  to 

^  D'  ./  r  submit  their 

quarter,  are  to  spread  their  concerns  before  the  concerns  to 

^  ,     ,  the  considera- 

yearly   meeting   of  ministers  and  elders,    and   tionofthis 

1         '    •  1  '  n  1       •  f  meeting-. 

produce  the  said  certificates ;  and,  if  upon 
solid  consideration,  the  same  are  united  with,  a 
certificate  thereof  signed  by  the  clerk  should  be 
granted. 


None  of  the  said  meetings  of  ministers  and 

.  P  -111-  No  meeting  of 

elders  are  in  any  wise  to  interfere  with  the  busi-  ministers  and 

_  .  p         ,.       .    ,.  .         I  elders  to  intcr- 

ness  01  any  meeting  tor  discipline,  nor  is  the  fere  with  the 

yearly  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  to  suffer  nlee^ngsV 

its  adjournments  to  interfere  with  the    sittings  ^^^^^^^p'^'^^ 
of  the  yearly  meeting  for  discipline. 


68 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 


We  tenderly  recommend  faithful  Friends, 
and  especially  ministers  and  elders,  to  watch  over 
the  flock  of  Christ  in  their  respective  places  and 
stations,  always  approving  themselves  by  their 
pious  examples  in  conversation  and  conduct,  to 
be  such  as  faithfully  and  diligently  walk  up  to 
the  testimony  of  the  blessed  truth  whereunto 
the  Lord  hath  gathered  us  in  this  his  gospel  day. 


Members  of 
meetings  of 
ministers  and 
elders  losing- 
their  service 
may  be  dis- 
placed. 


And  if  any  acknowledged  member  of  our  meet- 
ings of  ministers  and  elders  shall  at  any  time  be 
thought,  by  negligence,  unfaithfulness,  or  other- 
wise, to  have  lost  his  or  her  service  in  that  sta- 
tion, so  as  to  become  the  subject  of  uneasiness 
and  burthen  some  (yet  not  so  as  to  be  under  the 
care  of  a  meeting  of  discipline  on  that  account 
or  for  misconduct)  it  is  advised  that  a  timely 
and  tender  care  be  extended  to  such  person  ac- 
cording to  gospel  order  ;  first  by  the  individuals 
concerned,  and  then  by  the  preparative  meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders  to  which  he  or  she  may 
belong  ;  should  these  labours  prove  unavaihng, 
report  of  the  case  should  be  made  by  that  meet- 
ing to  the  quarterly  meeting  of  ministers  and 
elders,  and  there  a  few  Friends  be  deputed  to 
assist  the  said  preparative  meeting  in  a  further 
extension  of  labour  with  the  party  :  If  this 
also  prove  unavailing,  and  on  report  thereof  to 
the  said  quarterly  meeting,  it  appears  that  the 
said  preparative  meeting  has  fully  discharged  its 
duty  to  the  individual,  the  case  should  then  be 
transmitted  to  the  monthly   meeting  for   disci- 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS.  69 

pline  of  which  the  party  is  a  member,  and  left 
under  its  care  ;  and  he  or  she  ought  from  that 
time  to  refrain  from  attending  any  such  select 
meetings  until  they  shall  be  again  recommend- 
ed or  appointed  as  at  first. 


70 


MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE. 


Idle  company 
and  evil  prac- 
tices to  be 
avoided. 


ADVISED  that  none  accustom  themselves 
to  vain  and  idle  company,  sipping  and  tippling 
of  drams  and  strong  drink  ;  for  though  such 
who  use  that  evil  practice  may  not  suddenly  be- 
come drunken  to  the  greatest  degree,  yet  they 
often  thereby  become  like  ground  fitted  for  the 
seeds  of  the  greatest  transgressions,  and  some 
who  have  had  the  good  example  of  virtuous  pa- 
rents, have  from  small  beginnings  arrived  to  a 
shameful  excess,  to  their  ruin,  the  great  injury 
of  their  wives  and  families,  and  the  scandal  of 
the  religious  profession  they  have  made. 


It  having  been  observed  that  a  pernicious 
custom  has  prevailed  upon  people,  of  giving 
rum  and  other  strong  liquors  to  excite  some  to 

Giving  or  re-  .  i  •    i       i 

reiving  strong  bid  at  vcuducs  to  advaucc  the  price,  which,  be- 
dues Tobele's-  sidcs  tlic  injusticc  of  the  artifice,  is  scandalous, 
^^'^^  against.  ^^^^  leads  to  intcmpcrance  and  disorder ;  it  is 
therefore  the  unanimous  sense  of  this  meeting 
to  caution  Friends  against  the  same.  And  if 
any  under  our  profession  do  fall  into  this  evil 
practice,  by  giving  or  taking  strong  liquors  at 
^renduesjor  countenance  or  promote  any  noisy  ga- 


liquors. 


MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE.     71 

therings,  they  should  be  speedily  dealt  with  as  dis^ 
orderly  persons,  and  if  they  cannot  be  brought  to 
a  sense  of  their  error,  disowned. 

Many  just  and  pertinent  remarks  being  made 
in  this  meeting,  clearly  setting  forth  the  corrupt- 
ing, debasing,  and  ruinous  effects  consequent   Ruinous  ef. 

.      .  .  ,  .  .  fects  of  distill. 

on  the  importation  and  retailing  large  quantities  e^i  spirituous 
of  distilled  spirits,  whereby  the  intemperate  use 
of  them  is  greatly  aided  and  encouraged,  to  the 
impoverishment  of  many,  distempering  the  con- 
stitutions and  understandings  of  many  more, 
and  increasing  vice  and  dissolution  in  the  land, 
wherewith  many  religiously  attentive  minds 
have  been  long  painfully  burthen ed  ;  it  is  the 
united  sense  of  the  meeting,  that  well  concerned 
Friends  in  all  quarters,  be  earnestly  excited  to 
suffer  the  affecting  importance  of  this  mighty 
evil,  religiously  to  impress  their  minds,  and  ani- 
mate them  with  a  lively  concern  to  excite  honest 
endeavours,  both  by  example  and  loving  entrea- 
ty to  caution  and  dissuade  all  our  members  from 
being  concerned  in  the  importation  or  retailing 
distilled  spirits,  or  giving  countenance  thereto. 


recommended. 


It  is  affectionately  recommended,  that  Friends   Moderation  at 
be  careful  to  use  moderation  on  account  of  mar-  I^^^i!"! ^^',^?- 
riages,  births  and  burials,  and  on  all  other  occa- 
sions ;   a  departure  from  which  being  a  cause  of 
stumbling  to  many,  and  a  great  obstruction  to  a 
more  full  reformation,  as  well  as  attended  with 
other  evil  consequences,  tending  to  obscure  that 


72      MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE. 

light  which  we  have  to  hold  up  to  others,  and 
should  have  more  abundantly,  if  we  were  faith- 
ful ;  lessening  that  savour  which  we  ought  ever 
carefully  to  preserve,  agreeably  to  the  monition 
of  the  holy  apostle,  ^'  Let  your  moderation  be 
known  unto  all  men,  the  Lord  is  at  hand." 
Phil.  iv.  5.  And  as  the  all- seeing  eye  beholds 
our  thoughts,  and  views  us  in  all  our  ways  and 
actions,  what  manner  of  men  ought  we  to  be  in 
all  godliness  of  life,  and  sobriety  of  deportment. 

f  iSsfrom^^  And  if  any  should  distil  spirits  out  of  grain 

grain, cause  of  or  retail  such  liouors,  monthly  meeting's  should 

disownment.  ■■■  . 

deal  with  them  as  with  other  offenders,  and  if  they 
cannot  be  prevailed  with  to  desist  from  such  a 
practice,  be  at  liberty  to  declare  their  disunity 
with  them. 


73 


NEGROES  OR  SLAVES 


It  appears  to  have  been  the  concern  of  this 
meeting  revived  from  time  to  time,  with  increas- 
ingweight,  to  testify  their  entire  disunity  with  the 
practice  of  enslaving  mankind  (and  particularly  Entire  disuni- 
to  guard  all  in  membership  with  us  against  be-  ry. 
ing  concerned  in  the  purchase  of  slaves  from  the 
coasts  of  Africa)  yet  as  we  have  with  sorrow 
to  observe  that  in  some  parts  of  our  country, 
this  shameful  practice  is  still  continued  and  con- 
nived  at,  we  think  it  proper  to  revive  the  advi- 
ces heretofore  issued ;  and  again  exhort  our 
members,  to  be  no  way  accessary  to  this  enor- 
mous national  evil,  but  to  discourage  it  by  all 
the  justifiable  means  in  their  power;  it  being  ob- 
vious that  wherever  it  prevails  it  tends  to  cor- 
rupt the  morals  of  the  people,  so  as  not  only  to 
render  them  obnoxious  to  the  displeasure  of  the 
Almighty,  but  deaf  to  his  warnings,  and  insen- 
sible and  regardless  of  his  impending  judgments. 


And  we  earnestlv  desire  it  may  become  the  ^, . 

•'  ■  .   ''  Tins  oppress- 

concern  of  our  members  eienerally,  to  use  the  ed  class  of 

•  men  to  be  in- 

inftuence  they  have  with  those  who  hold  slaves  structed,  ad- 

.  -  vised  and  as^ 

by  inheritance  or  otherwise,  that  they  may  be  sisted. 

L 


r4 


NEGROES  OR  SLAVES. 


treated  with  moderation  and  kindness,  and  in- 
structed as  objects  of  the  common  salvation  in 
the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion  ;  as  well 
as  in  such  branches  of  school-learning  as  may 
fit  them  for  freedom,  and  to  become  useful 
members  of  civil  society.  Also  that  Friends 
in  their  several  neighbourhoods  advise  and  as- 
sist such  of  the  black  people  as  are  at  liberty, 
in  the  education  of  their  children,  and  common 
worldly  concerns. 


Hiring  slaves 
opposes  our 
relig-ious  testi- 
mony. 


Understanding  that  some  in  membership 
with  us,  either  through  inadvertence,  or  from  self- 
ish motives,  have  hired  slaves  to  assist  them  in 
their  business  ;  we  desire  such  to  consider  that 
in  so  doing  they  promote  the  unrighteous  traf- 
fic, and  oppose  our  testimony  against  it. 


„    .  Friends  are  also  cautioned  asfainst  acting:  as 

Caution  to  ex-  ^    ^  ^  *=> 

ecutors  and       exccutors   or  administrators  to  estates   where 

administrators. 

slaves    are  bequeathed ;   and   doing   any   thing 
whereby  their  bondage  may  be  prolonged. 


state  of  the 
black  people 
requires  close 
attention  to 
I  the  opening  of 
truth,  that  our 
duty  may  be 
fully  discharg- 
ed. 


We  are  united  in  judgment,  that  the  state 
of  the  black  people,  who  have  been  held  as  slaves 
by  any  of  us  or  our  predecessors,  calls  for  a 
deep  inquiry  and  close  examination,  how  far  we 
are  clear  of  wuth  holding  from  them,  whatunder 
such  an  exercise  may  be  opened  to  our  view  as 
their  just  right ;  and  we  earnestly  and  affection- 
ately entreat  those  in  particular  who  have  releas- 
ed any  of  them,  to  attend  to  the  further  open- 


NEGROES  OR  SLAVES.  75 

ings  of  duty.  Even  if  no  such  obligations  to 
this  people  existed  among  us,  it  is  worthy  of 
our  serious  consideration,  whether  any  object  of 
beneficence  is  more  deserving  of  our  regard, 
than  that  of  training  up  their  youth  in  such  vir- 
tuous principles  and  habits  as  may  render  them 
useful  and  respectable  members  of  the  com- 
munity. 

It  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meet- 
ing, that  if  any  of  our  members  are  concerned  in 
importing,  selling,  or  purchasing ;  or  shall  give   Friends  who 
away  or  transfer  any  negro  or  other  slave,  with   purchase  or 

.  .  give  away 

or  without  any  other  consideration  than  to  clear  slaves,  to  be 
their  estate  of  any  future  incumbrance,  or  in 
such  manner  that  their  bondage  is  continued 
beyond  the  time  limited  by  law  or  custom  for 
white  persons ;  and  also  those  who  accept  of 
such  gift  or  assignment  ;  they  ought  to  be  spee- 
dily treated  with  in  the  spirit  of  true  love  and 
wisdom,  and  the  iniquity  of  their  conduct  laid 
before  them.  And  if,  after  Christian  labour, 
they  cannot  be  brought  to  such  a  sense  of  their 
injustice,  as  to  do  every  thing  which  the  month- 
ly meeting  shall  judge  to  be  reasonable  and  ne- 
cessary for  the  restoring  such  slave  to  his  or  her 
natural  and  just  right  to  liberty,  and  condemn 
their  deviation  from  the  law  of  righteousness 
and  equity,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said  meet- 
ing, that  such  member  or  members  be  testified 
against  as  other  transgressors  are  by  the  rules  of 


re  NEGROES  OR  SLAVES. 

our  discipline  for  other  immoral,  unjust,  or  re- 
proachful conduct. 

It  appearing  that,  notwithstanding  the  many 
Traffic  in  afflictive  dispensations  with  which  divine  wis- 

slaves  displea-  •    •        i  •      i        i 

sing  to  the  Al-   dom  has  seen  meet   to    visit  this  land,  many 
^•gi  y-  q£  j^g  inhabitants  are  so  deaf  to  the  language  of 

the  rod,  as  to  continue  in  the  nefarious  traffic 
for  slaves  to  the  coasts  of  Africa  :  and  that  the 
importation  of  them  is  still  connived  at  :  this 
meeting,  considering  such  a  conduct  as  a  bold 
and  impious  defiance  of  the  Ruler  of  nations, 
and  pregnant  with  the  most  alarming  conse- 
quences to  our  country,  earnestly  recommends 
to  the  meeting  for  sufferings  to  embrace  every 
suitable  opportunity  for  advancing  our  testimo- 
ny in  this  respect,  and  for  caUing  the  attention 
of  the  public  mind  to  this  av/fiilly  interesting 
subject. 


ii 


<:rfrr»M      1 


OATHS 


ADVISED   that  our  Christian  testimony 
be  faithfully  maintained  against  the  burthen  and   "j^^^^'Lw^.^ 
imDosition  of  oaths,  according  to  the  express   command  of 

,      ,        .    .  .  P  ^1         Christ. 

command  of  Christ,  and  the  mjunction  ol  the 
apostle  James,  viz.  "  Ye  have  heard  that  it 
hath  been  said  by  them  of  old  time,  thou  shalt 
not  forswear  thyself,  but  shalt  perform  unto  the 
Lord  thine  oaths ;  but  I  say  unto  you,  swear 
not  at  all :  nehher  by  heaven,  for  it  is  God's 
throne  :  nor  by  the  earth,  for  it  is  his  footstool ; 
neither  by  Jerusalem,  for  it  is  the  city  of  the 
great  king.  Neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy 
head,  because  thou  canst  not  make  one  hair 
white  or  black  :  but  let  your  communication 
be,  yea,  yea,  nay,  nay  ;  for  whatsoever  is  more 
than  these  cometh  of  evil."  Mat.  v.  33  to  37. 

"But  above  all  things  my  brethren,  swear  not, 
neither  by  heaven,  neither  by  the  earth,  neither 
by  any  other  oath  :  but  let  your  yea,  be  yea ; 
and  your  nay,  nay  ;  lest  ye  fall  into  condemna- 
tion."   James  v.  12. 

From  the  year  1718  to  1771,  divers  minutes 
of   this  meeting  appear,  declaring  that  oaths  ad- 


OATHS. 


Oat?i3  admiti- 
istered  by- 
clerks,  &c  a 
violation  of  the 
testimonv. 


Parties  to  their 
administration 
to  be  disowned. 


ministered  by  clerks  or  others,  under  the  no- 
tice and  connivance  of  Friends,  either  in  court 
or  elsewhere,  violate  our  ancient  testimony. 
And  it  is  earnestly  recommended  to  quarterly 
and  monthly  meetings,  that  where  any  under 
our  name  are  parties  to  the  administration  of 
oaths,  to  be  careful  to  proceed  in  dealing  with 
them  ;  and  if  they  will  not  decline  the  practice 
and  give  suitable  satisfaction  to  the  meeting  they 
belong  to,  to  testify  against  them  agreeably  to 
the  rules  of  our  discipline. 


Disunion  with 
offenders  di- 
rected. 


As  it  is  our  duty  to  support  our  Christian 
testimony  against  oaths,  faithful  Friends  are  de- 
desired  to  extend  brotherly  labour  towards  those 
who  deviate  therefrom,  and  if  such  labour  proves 
unsuccessful,  monthly  meetings  should  testify 
their  disunity  with  them. 


And  Friends  in  all  places  are  exhorted  care- 
to  be  elected  fully  to  avoid  electing  or  promoting  their  breth- 
whS'sHlbject  ^^"  to  such  stations  in  civil  government  as  may 
oftbistcstimo-  subject  them  to  the  temptation  of  violating  this 
^'y-  testimony  ;   and  where  any  members  shew   an 

inclination  or  desire  of  soliciting  or  accepting 
of  such  offices,  timely  care  should  be  taken  to 
caution  them  against  it.  xVnd  in  the  execution 
of  instruments  of  writing  requiring  witnesses, 
it  is  recommended  that  Friends  endeavour  to  pro- 
cure such  persons  for  this  purpose,  as  will  attest 
the  same  by  anirmation. 


OVERSEERS, 


IT  is  recommended  that  in  every  monthly 


A  suitable 


Tiicir  dutv. 


meetino;  a  proper  number  of  faithful  and  iudi-   number ofcach 

^         ^        ^  '^  sex  to  be  ap- 

cious  men  and  women  belonging  to  each  of  the  pointed. 
particular  or  preparative  meetings,  be  appoint- 
ed to  the  station  of  overseers  within  the  same : 
whose  duty  it  is  to  exercise  a  vigilant  and  ten- 
der care  over  their  fellow  members  ;  that  if  any 
thing  repugnant  to  the  harmony  and  good  order 
of  the  society  appears  among  them,  it  may  be 
timely  attended  to  and  not  neglected.  And  to 
prevent  the  introduction  of  all  unnecessary  and 
premature  complaints  to  meetings  of  business, 
it  is  advised  if  any  member  shall  have  cause  of 
complaint  against  another,  that  it  be  mentioned 
to  the  overseers,  who  are  to  see  that  the  party 
complained  of  has  been  treated  with  according  to 
gospel  order,  previously  to  the  case  being  re- 
ported to  the  preparative  or  monthly  meeting. 
And  it  is  desired  that  in  dealing  with  anv,  it  be   J^  ^^  P^" 

*-^  •'  formed  in 

done  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  love,  pa-   christian  sp 
tiently    endeavouring    to    instruct    and   advise 
them ;  which,  if  ineffectual,  the  preparative  meet- 
ing should  be  informed  thereof;  that,  if  needful 
the  case  may  be  laid  before  the  monthly  meeting, 


in  a 


80 


OVERSEERS. 


Appointment 
of  a  committee 
once  in  three 
vears. 


Serious  exiior- 
tation  to  a  clue 
discharj^e  of 
the  u  elg-bty 
trust. 


of  which,  notice  should  be  given  to  the  party, 
when  it  can  be  conveniently  done.  It  is  further 
recommended  to  our  monthly  meetings  that  a 
committee  be  appointed  at  least  once  in  three 
years,  or  as  much  oftener  as  the  occasion  may 
require,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  changing 
the  overseers  and  bringing  forward  in  the  im- 
provement of  their  gifts,  other  Friends  on  whom 
a  concern  for  the  welfare  of  the  society  rests. 
And  we  tenderly  exhort  all  our  members  who 
may  be  rightly  called  into  this  or  any  other  ser- 
vice of  the  church,  not  hastily  to  excuse  them- 
selves therefrom,  but  solidly  to  ponder  the 
weighty  advice  of  the  apostle,  *'Feed  the  flock  of 
''  God,  which  is  among  you,  taking  the  oversight 
"  thereof,  not  by  constraint,  but  willingly  ,  not 
"  for  filthy  lucre,  but  of  a  ready  mind  ;  neither 
''  as  lords  over  God's  heritage  ;  but  being  en- 
"-  samples  to  the  flock:  and  when  the  chief  Shep- 
''  herd  shall  appear,  ye  shall  receive  a  crown  of 
''  glory,  that  fadeth  not  away." 


81 


PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 


ruptions. 


In  much  love  to  the  rising  generation,  we 
exhort  them  to  avoid  the  many  vanities  and  en- 
snaring corruptions  to  which  they   are  expos-    rp^^j.-gj,^ 
ed.     Bear  in  mind,  dear  youth,  that  "  the  fear   generation  ex- 

•^^  ^  horted  to  avoid 

of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom,"  and  ensnaring  cor 
that  *'  a  good  understanding  have  all  they  who 
do  his  commandments."  Psalm,  xci.  10.  Take 
the  advice  of  godly  parents,  guardians  and 
friends  ;  ever  remembering  that,  next  to  our 
Creator,  children  ought  to  obey  their  parents, 
and  that  disobedience  to  them  is  a  breach  of  the 
moral  law,  and  was  always  offensive  in  the  Di- 
vine sight.  Submit  to  their  reasonable  requir- 
ings  with  cheerfulness,  though  these  may  some- 
times thwart  your  own  inclinations,  and  answer 
them  not  frowardly  or  crossly.  They  watched 
over  you  and  took  care  of  you,  when  you  were 
utterly  unable  to  help  or  care  for  yourselves. 
Why  then  should  any  of  you  grieve  and  wound 
their  still  anxious  minds  by  a  conduct  which 
(because  of  its  tendency  to  obstruct  your  wel- 
fare and  happiness)  you  know  they  cannot  ap- 
prove ?  Such  as,  running  into  vain  and  expen- 
sive fashions,  associating  with  corrupt  and  li- 
bertine persons;  frequenting  taverns  and  places 
of  diversion  ;  wasting  your  precious  time  in  idle 

M 


82  PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 

discourse,  and  drawing  the  affections  and  in- 
flaming the  passions  one  of  another  ;  all  which  we 
have  nodoubt  the  divine  Monitor  in  your  own 
breasts  ofien  pleads  with  you  e^gaiast,  and  shews 
to  be  destructive  of  your  peace.  We  beseech  you, 
as  fathers,  to  attend  to  this  heavenly  Instructor, 
and  dutifully  yield  to  the  correspondent  tender 
advice  of  your  friends.  Shrink  not  from  the 
cross  of  Christ  in  your  garb,  language  or  man- 
ners ;  but,  through  a  subjection  of  your  wills  to 
the  divine  will,  in  these  and  all  other  respects, 
walk  answerably  to  the  purity  of  our  profession, 
and  the  simplicity  and  spirituality  of  our  wor- 
ship :  so  may  you  be  instructive  examples  to  se- 
rious enquirers  after  truth;  and  not  of  those 
who,  under  a  profession  thereof,  are  prefer- 
ring their  own  crooked  ways,  and  turning  others 
aside  from  the  footteps  of  its  followers. 

It  is  advised  that  where  the  pious  exercise  of 
parental  care  and  authority  is  disregarded,  and 
any  of  the  youth  in  membership  with  us  appear 
obstinately  determined  to  run  into  and  copy  af- 
ter the   vain   and  extravag-ant  fashions   of  the 

Youth  disre-  ^  .  ° 

gardingthe       world    in  their   dress    and   address,    exposing 

care  of  parents  .  .     „  p         -i 

andfriends  are  thcmsclves  to  the  Corrupting  influence  of  evil 

exposed  to  ma-  .  t         i         i      •       • 

ny  evils.  Company  and  excesses,  whereby  designing  per- 

sons may  entangle  their  affections,  and  draw 
them  into  unsuitable  and  unhappy  connections 
in  marriage  or  otherwise,  that  such  be  timely 
and  tenderly  treated  with,  and  shown  the  dan- 


PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN.  83 

gerous  tendency  of  their  conduct ;  and,  if  they 

cannot   be   prevailed   with  to  desist  therefrom,    such  to  be 

and  amend  their  ways,  they  ought  to  be  dealt  t(^,^2l 

with  by  their  respective  preparative  or  month-   to  be  disowned. 

ly  meetings,  as  in  other  cases  of  offence  ;  and  if, 

after   due  expostulation  and  forbearance,  they 

prove    irreclaimable,    they    may    be    testified 

against. 

And  if  any  parents  in  membership  with  us, 
willingly  indulge  their  children,  or  youth  under    Parents  in- 
their  care  in  such  extravagance,  liberties  and  ex-    wSn^the 
cesses,  as  are  here  pointed  out,  and  persist  in  vin-    oftheTr^chuf 
dicating  their  conduct,  they  ought  in  like  man-   owned^ ^^ '^''" 
ner  to  be  treated  with  and  disowned. 

Friends  are  advised  to  bring  up  their  chil- 
dren to  habits  of  industry,  placing  them  with  so- 
ber and  exemplary  members  of  the  society,  for 

.      *        -^  .  -^  Children  to  be 

instruction  in  such  occupations  as  are  consistent  inured  to  in- 

,.     .  .       .    ,  .  .  dustrv,  and 

with  our  religious  prmciples  and  testimonies,   piacedwithex- 
that  as  far  as  in  us  lies  they  may  be  preserved  in   Priendl 
a  becoming  conduct  and  demeanour. 

And  it  is  desired  that  those  whose  circum- 
stances may  furnish  with  ability  for  instructing, 
in  useful  and  suitable  employments,  the  children 

p  ,  ,  •         .  •  t  m  Childrenofthe 

01  members  who  are  m  situations  less  affluent,   poor  to  be  re- 
may  receive  them  into  their  families  upon  terms  moderate  °" 
so  moderate  and  equitable  as  to  remove  every 
plausible  reason  for  placing  them  with  those  not 
in  membership  with  us. 


terms. 


84 


PLAINNESS 


Advised,    that   all    Friends,    both    old   and 

Corrupt  man- 
ners and  fash-    young,  kecpout  of  the  world's  corrupt  language, 

avoided  manners,  vain  and  needless  things  and  fashions, 

in  apparel,  buildings,  and  furniture  of  houses, 
some  of  which  are  immodest,  indecent,  and  un- 
becoming. And  that  they  avoid  immoderation 
in  the  use  of  lawful  things,  which  though  inno- 
cent in  themselves,  may  thereby  become  hurtful; 
also  such  kinds  of  stuffs,  colours  and  dress,  as 
are  calculated  more  to  please  a  vain  and  wanton 
mind,  than  for  real  usefulness  ;  and  let  tradesmen 
and  others,  members  of  our  rehs-ious  society,  be 

Caution  to  ^  o  j  •> 

tradesmen  and  admonishcd,  that  they  be  not  accessary  to  these 

others. 

evils  ;  for  we  ought  to  take  up  our  daily  cross, 
minding  the  grace  of  God  which  brings  salva- 
tion, and  teaches  to  deny  all  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously 
and  godly,  in  this  present  world,  that  we  may 
adorn  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  all 
things  ;  so  may  we  feel  his  blessing,  and  be  in- 
strumental in  his  hand  for  the  good  of  others. 

We  tenderly  exhort  all,  seriously  to  consider 
the  plainness  and  simplicity  which  the  gospel  en- 


PLAINNESS.  85 

joins,  and  to  manifest  it  in  their  speech,  appa- 
rel, furniture,  salutations  and  conversation,  in- 
to which  our  forefathers  were  led  by  the  Spi- 
rit of  Christ,  in  conformity  with  his  precepts  and 
example  ;    and  for  which  they  patiently  suffered   cityrecom- 

,  .  .  ^  ,  .  mended. 

long  imprisonments,  and  great  persecutions ; 
being  convinced  that  it  was  their  duty  thus  to 
bear  a  testimony  against  the  vain  spirit  of  the 
world. 

The  spirit  of  truth,  which  led  our  ancients  Truth  leads  to 
to  lay  aside  every  thing  unbecoming  the  followers  ^  *^""^^^* 
of  Christ,  still  leads  in  the  same  path,  all  who 
submit  to  its  guidance  ;  we  therefore  earnestly 
entreat  all  Friends  to  watch  over  themselves  in 
this  respect.  The  example  of  our  blessed  Sa- 
viour, his  immediate  followers,  and  of  virtuous 
and  holy  men  in  all  ages,  ought  to  make  a  due 
impression  on  every  considerate  mind  ;  and  es- 
pecially on  such  as  have  had  the  advantage  of  a 
guarded  education. 

We  also  tenderly  advise,  that  Friends  take 
heed,   especially  those  who  should  be  exempla- 

.  Testimony 

ry  to  others  under  their  care,  that  they  exercise   balked  by  va- 
plainness  or  speech  without  respect  oi  persons,   speech  to  suit 

,,     ,     .  1,11      that  of  others 

in  all  their  converse  among  men  ;  and  not  balk 
their  testimony  by  a  cowardly  compliance,  vary- 
ing their  language  according  to  their  compa- 
ny ;  a  practice  of  very  ill  example,  rendering 
those    who  use   it   contemptible,    and  looked 


86  PLAINNESS. 

upon  as  a  kind  of  hypocrites,  even  by  those 
with  whom  they  so  comply  ;  this  seems  to  be 
cautioned  against  by  the  apostle,  when  he  ad- 
vises, 1  Tim.  *'  That  the  deacons  be  grave,  not 
double  tongued;"  plainly  importing  that  it  is 
inconsistent  with  the  gravity  of  the  gospel. 


87 


POOR. 


IT  is  advised  that  the  cases  of  all  our  mem- 
bers who  are  in  indigent  circumstances  be  duly 
inspected,  that  advice  and  relief  may  be  seasona- 
bly extended,  and  assistance  afforded  to  them  in  ^^viccandas- 
such  business  as  they  are  capable  of :   and  in  or-   ^^^^*^^^  ^^ 
der  to  defray  the  expenses  which  their  support 
and  the  education  of  their  children  will  necessa- 
rily occasion,  it  is  recommended  to  each  month- 
ly meeting  of  men  and  women  Friends  to  be 
open  hearted   and  liberal  in   subscriptions  for 
raising  and  continuing  funds  for  these  purposes ;    ^f"^  ^°  ^^ 
that  the  meetings  of  each  sex  should  appoint 
a  treasurer  to  receive  the  same,  and  a  committee 
of  suitable  Friends  to  have  the  particular  care  of  ^ 

^  '^  Treasurer  to 

the  poor,  whose  business  it  will  be  to  visit,  in-  be  appointed. 
spect  into  their  wants,  and  relieve  them.     And 
in  the  exercise  of  this  benevolent  care,  it  is  de- 
sired we  may  always  guard  against  exposing  situation  of 
the  names  or  situations  of  our  fellow  members,   members  not 

\      ^  •  11-11  1,  ,        «   to  be  exposed. 

And  an  appomtment  should  be  annually  made  of 

two  or  more  Friends  for  settling  the  treasurer's 

account,  and  reporting  its  state  to  the  meeting. 


88 


PRIESTS'  WAGES ;  OR  HIRELING 
MINISTRY. 


LET  us  keep   in  remembrance,  that  it  is 

under  the  immediate  teaching  and  influence  of 

f  Thi  im'mei    ^^^  ^^^^^  Spirit  that  all  acceptable  worship  is  per- 

diate  produc-     formed,   and  all  true  gospel  ministry  supplied; 

Spirit,  and  the  that  this  purc  and  powerful  influence,  in  vessels 

srfvire  is  to  be  ^ 

freei)  dis-         sanctified  and  prepared  by  the  divine  hand,  is 

charged.  ,  . 

the  essential  qualification  to  that  work  ;  and  that 
as  the  gift  is  divine,  the  service  is  freely  and 
faithfully  to  be  discharged,  without  any  view  to 
reward  from  man. 


And  it  is  advised  that  where  any  of  our 
members  are  so  regardless  of  this  testimony 
as  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  an  hirelins: 

Violation  of  . 

this  testimony    ministry,  and  vindicate  such  conduct,  that  they 

to  be  testified  ,    i  ,       -  i  •  i  r 

against.  bc  tenderly  laboured  with  to  convince  them  of 

their  error,  but  if  this  prove  ineffectual,  and 
they  persist  in  their  unfaithfulness,  the  month- 
ly meetings  to  which  they  belong  should  pro- 
ceed to  declare  our  disunity  with  them,  such 
conduct  being  opposed  to  our  testimony  for  the 
free  ministry  of  the  gospel,  which  is  *'  without 
money  and  without  price." 


S9 


QUERIES, 


It  is  agreed  that  the  nine  queries  belonging 
to  meetings  for  discipline,  be  read,  deliberately    ah  the  queries 

relating-  to 

considered  and    answered  in   each   preparative   meetings  for 

,  ,  ,  .  .  _  discipline,  to 

and  monthly  meetmg  once  a  year  ;   m  order  to   bereadandan- 

|.    •  ^    .  .   •  ,         sweredonce 

convey   an  exphcit  account  m   writing  to   the   a  year. 
quarterly   meetings  next  preceding  the  yearly 
meeting  that   so  this   meeting    may  be   clearly 
informed  of  the  state  of  all  our  meetings. 

Also,  that  the  first,  second  and  eighth  of  those 
queries  be  read,  considered,  and  explicit  answers   ^^Y^^  queries 

^  *  to  be  read  and 

to   them  made  in  writing  in  the  two  quarterly   answered 

,  1  J     twice  a  year. 

meetings  preceding  the  one  before  mentioned, 
and  also  in  the  preparative  and  monthly  meetings 
which  report  thereto.  But  none  of  the  queries 
are  to  be  read  or  answered  in  those  quarterly 
meetings  for  discipline  which  immediately  suc- 
ceed the  yearly  meeting  nor  in  the  preparative  or 
monthly  meetings  which  report  to  those  quarters. 

It  is  not  considered  as  obligatory  on  any  Q|,eries  to  oe 

.•         ^  1  ^1         1  '  c^  A.I  readonly  when 

meeting  to  read  the  above  queries  ottener  than  answered, 
is  here  mentioned,  or  to  read  any  others  than 
such  as  are  to  be  answered.      Nor  is  the  read- 


DO  QUERIES. 

ing  and  ans\vering  of  them  enjoined  on  any  pre- 
parative meeting,  where  the  members  of  that 
and  the  monthly  meeting  are  the  same. 

It  is  further  agreed  that  at  the  time  when 
the  nine  queries  are  read  in  the  preparative  and 
monthly  meetings,  the  advices  and  caution  sub- 
Advice  and      joined,   shall   be  also  distinctly  read  and  solidly 
read  once  a       pondered  ;   as  a  means  of  putting  the  members 
year.  present  upon  considering,  whether  there  be  any 

occasion  for  an  extension  of  care  in  those  res- 
pects :  and,  if  there  is,  of  stirring  them  up  to  a 
faithful  discharge  of  their  duty  as  individuals, 
one  towards  another. 

Fi7'st  ^lery.  Are  all  our  religious  meet- 
ings for  worship  and  discipline  duly  attended;  is 
the  hour  observed  ;  and  are  friends  preserved 
from  sleeping,  and  all  other  unbecoming  be- 
haviour therein  ? 

Second  ^lery.  Is  love  and  unity  maintain- 
ed amongst  you.  Are  tale-bearing  and  detrac- 
tion discouraged.  And  wliere  any  differences 
arise,  are  endeavours  used  speedily  to  end  them  ? 

Third  ^lery.  Are  Friends  careful  to  bring 
up  those  under  their  direction,  in  plainness  of 
speech,  behaviour,  and  apparel;  in  frequent 
reading  the  holy  scriptures;  and  to  restrain  them 
from  reading  pernicious  books,  and  from  the 
corrupt  conversation  of  the  world  ? 


QUERIES.  91 

Fourth  ^lery.  Are  Friends  careful  to  dis- 
courage the  unnecessary  distillation  or  use  of 
spirituous  liquors,  frequenting  taverns  and 
places  of  diversion  ;  and  to  keep  in  true  modera- 
tion and  temperance  on  the  account  of  births, 
marriages,  burials  and  other  occasions  ? 

Fifth  ^ery.  Are  poor  Friends  necessities 
duly  inspected,  and  they  relieved  or  assisted  in 
such  business  as  they  are  capable  of.  Do  their 
children  freely  partake  of  learning  to  fit  them  for 
business  :  And  are  they  and  other  Friends 
children  placed  among  Friends  ? 

Sixth  ^lery.  Do  you  maintain  a  faithful 
testimony  against  oaths  ;  an  hireling  ministry  ; 
bearing  arms,  training,  and  other  military  servi- 
ces; being  concerned  in  any  fraudulent  or  clan- 
destine trade;  buying  or  vending  goods  so  im- 
ported,or  prize  goods  ;  and  against  encouraging 
lotteries  of  any  kind  ? 

Sei^enth  ^lery.  Are  Friends  careful  to 
live  within  the  bounds  of  their  circumstances, 
and  to  keep  to  moderation  in  their  trade  or  busi- 
ness :  Are  they  punctual  to  their  promises,  and 
just  in  the  payment  of  their  debts ;  and  are  such 
as  give  reasonable  grounds  for  fear  on  these  ac- 
counts timely  laboured  with  for  their  preserva- 
tion or  recovery  ? 


92  QUERIES. 

Eighth  ^ery.  Do  you  take  due  care  regu- 
larly to  deal  with  all  offenders  in  the  spirit  of 
meekness,  without  partiality  or  unnecessary  de- 
lay, in  order  for  their  help  ;  and  where  such  la- 
bour is  ineffectual,  to  place  judgment  upon 
them  in  the  authority  of  truth  ? 

Ninth  S^iery.  Is  due  care  taken  to  keep  a 
regular  record  of  births  and  burials  ? 

And  in  the  preparative  and  monthly  meet- 
ings, when  all  the  foregoing  queries  are  read 
and  answered,  the  follov,  ing  advices  are  to  be 
read  with  a  suitable  pause  between  them : 

That  no  young  or  single  persons  make  or  en- 
courage proposals  of  marriage  with  each  other 
without  consent  of  parents  or  guardians,  or  keep 
company  with  those  who  are  not  of  our  religious 
society,  upon  that  account ;  and  if  parents  give 
their  consent  to,  or  connive  at  their  children's 
thus  keeping  company,  or  marrying,  that  they 
be  dealt  with  according  to  our  discipline  : 
And  if  any  of  our  members  have  been  present 
at  marriages  accomplished  contrary  to  the  rules 
of  our  discipline,  that  they  also  be  dealt  with. 

That  all  public  gifts  and  legacies  be  stri  ctly 
applied  to  the  uses  intended  by  the  donors  ; 
or,  if  any  unforeseen  occurrence  should  render 
such  compliance  difficult  or  impracticable,  that 
an  early  application  be  made  to  the  meeting  for 


QUERIES.  93 

sufferings  for  its  advice  or  assistance ;  and  that 
timely  care  be  taken  for  the  renewal  of  trusts. 

That  Friends  intending  removal  be  careful 
to  apply  for  certificates  ;  and  that  the  cases  of 
such  who  remove  without  certificates,  or  of 
sojourners  coming  from  other  places  and  ap- 
pearing as  Friends,  without  producing  certifi- 
cates, be  properly  attended  to. 

That  Friends  carefully  inspect  the  state 
of  their  affairs  once  in  the  year ;  and  make 
their  wills  and  settle  their  outward  estates 
whilst  in  health. 

And  it  is  further  recommended  that  in  con- 
ducting the  affairs  of  our  meetings,  Friends  en- 
deavour to  manage  them  in  the  peaceable  spirit 
and  wisdom  of  Jesus,  with  decency,  forbearance 
and  love  of  each  other. 

The  following  queries  are  also  to  be  read, 
considered  and  answ^ered  once  a  year,  in  each 
monthly  and  quarterly  meeting,  and  a  report 
thereof  made  in  writing  to  this  meeting  :  and  it 
is  recommended  that  in  answering  the  query 
respecting  schools,  monthly  meetings  furnish 
their  respective  quarters  with  particular  ac- 
counts of  the  situation  and  circumstance  of  the 
several  schools  within  their  limits,  and  that  the 
quarterly  meetings  convey  to  this  meeting  a 
summary  statement  thereof. 


94  QUERIES. 

First  Siiery,  What  ministers  and  elders 
deceased,  and  when  ? 

Second  ^lery.  What  new  meeting  houses 
built,  or  new  meetings  settled  ? 

Third  ^lery.  Are  there  schools  established 
for  the  education  of  our  youth,  under  the  care  of 
teachers  in  membership  with  us,  and  superintend- 
ed by  committees  appointed  either  in  the  month- 
ly or  preparative  meetings  ? 

Fourth  ^lery.  Are  the  queries  addressed  to 
the  quarterly,  monthly  and  preparative  meet- 
ings read  and  answered  therein  as  directed? 


95 


QUERIES  FOR  MEETINGS  OF  MINIS 
TERS  AND  ELDERS. 


IT  is  also  concluded,  that  of  the  following 
four  queries,  formed  for  the  use  of  the  meetings 
of  ministers  and  elders,  the  first  three  be  read 
and  distinctly  answered  in  writing  three  times 
in  a  year,  by  each  preparative  meeting  of  that 
kind,  to  its  respective  quarterly  meeting :  and 
that  all  the  said  four  queries  shall  be  in  like  man- 
ner read  and  answered,  by  the  preparative  to 
their  quarterly  meetings  next  preceding  the 
yearly  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  ;  that  the 
quarterly  meetings  may  be  enabled  to  transmit 
a  clear  and  distinct  statement  of  those  answers 
to  that  meeting. 

First  S^iery,  Are  ministers  and  elders 
careful  to  attend  meetings  for  divine  worship, 
bringing  their  families  with  them.  Do  they  dili- 
gently attend  meetings  for  discipline^  encourag- 
ing such  of  their  families  to  this  duty  as  are  of 
proper  age,  and  suitable  deportment  ? 

Second  S^iery,  Are  ministers  sound  in  word 
and  doctrine ;  careful  to  minister  in  the  ability 


96  QUERIES. 

which  God  gives,  and  thereby  kept  from  bur- 
thening  the  living  ? 

Third  ^lery.  Are  the  hves  and  conversa- 
tion of  ministers  and  elders  clean  and  blame- 
less amongst  men  :  are  they  in  unity  one  with 
another,  and  with  the  meeting  they  belong  to, 
harmoniously  labouring  together  for  truth's 
honour  ? 

Fourth  ^lery.  Are  they  good  examples  in 
uprightness,  temperance  and  moderation  ;  and 
careful  to  train  up  their  fl\milies  in  plainness  of 
dress  and  simplicity  of  manners,  becoming  our 
religious  profession  ? 

And  it  is  earnestly  and  affectionately  recom- 
mended, that  ministers  and  elders  watch  over 
one  another  for  good,  to  help  those  who  are 
exercised  in  the  ministry  in  the  right  line,  dis- 
couraging forward  spirits  that  run  into  words 
withotit  life  and  power,  advising  against  affecta- 
tion of  tones  and  gestures,  and  every  thing  that 
would  hurt  their  service  ;  yet  encouraging  the 
humble  careful  traveller  ;  "  speaking  a  word  in 
season  to  them  that  are  weary."  And  let  all 
dwell  in  that  which  gives  ability  to  labour  suc- 
cessfully in  the  church  of  Christ,  adorning  the 
doctrine  which  they  deliver  to  others,  being  ex- 
amples of  the  Believers,  in  word,  in  conversation, 
in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  and  in  purity. 


97 


SCHOOLS. 


THE  education  of  our  youth  in  piety  and 
virtue,  and  giving  them  useful  learning  under 
the  tuition  of  religious  prudent  persons,  having 
for  many  years  engaged  the  solid  attention  of 
this  meeting,  and  advices  thereon  having  been 
from  time  to  time  issued  to  the  several  subordinate 
meetings;  it  is  renewedly  desired,  that  quarterly, 
monthly  and  preparative  meetings  may  be  exci- 
ted toproper  exertions  for  the  institution  and  sup- 
port of  schools ;  there  being  but  little  doubt,  that 
as  Friends  are  united,  and  cherish  a  disposi- 
tion of  liberahty  for  the  assistance  of  each  other 
in  this  important  work,  they  will  be  enabled  to 
make  such  provision  for  the  accommodation 
and  residence  of  a  teacher,  with  a  family,  as 
would  be  an  encouragement  to  well  qualified 
persons  to  engage  in  this  arduous  employment : 
for  want  of  which  it  has  been  observed,  that 
children  have  been  committed  to  the  care  of 
transient  persons,  of  doubtful  character,  and 
sometimes  of  very  corrupt  minds,  by  whose  bad 
example  and  influence,  they  have  been  betrayed 
into  principles  and  habits  which  have  had  an  in- 
jurious effect  on  them  in  more  advanced  life.    It 


98  SCHOOLS. 

is  therefore  indispensably  incumbent  on  us  to 
guard  them  against  this  danger,  and  procure 
such  tutors  of  our  own  rf^Hgious  persuasion,  as 
are  not  only  capable  of  instructing  them  in  use- 
ful learning,  to  fit  them  for  the  business  of  this 
life,  but  to  train  them  in  the  knowledge  of  their 
duty  to  God  and  one  towards  another.  It  is  there- 
fore proposed  ;  First,  That  a  lot  of  ground  be 
provided  in  each  monthly  or  preparative  meeting, 
sufficient  for  a  garden,  orchard,  grass  for  a  cow, 
Stc.  and  a  suitable  house  erected  thereon. 

Second,  That  funds  be  raised  by  contribu- 
tion, bequests,  &c.  in  each  meeting  ;  the  inter- 
est of  which  to  be  applied  either  in  aid  of  the 
tutors  salary  or  lessening  the  expense  of  Friends 
in  straitened  circumstances,  in  the  education  of 
their  children. 

Third.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  in 
each  monthly  or  preparative  meeting,  to  have 
the  care  of  schools  and  the  funds  for  their  sup- 
port, and  that  no  tutor  be  employed  but  with 
their  consent. 

Although  the  raising  a  sufficiency  to  answer 
those  purposes  may  in  some  places  appear  diffi- 
cult, yet  as  improvements  of  this  kind  are  gene- 
rally gradual  and  have  often  arisen  from  small 
beginnings  into  very  valuable  establishments, 
it  is  desired  that  Friends  may  be  encouraged 


SCHOOLS.  99 

thereto,  and  keeping  an  eye  to  the  divine  bles- 
sing on  their  benevolent  endeavours,  make  such 
essay  for  carrying  into  effect  these  recommen- 
dations as  they  may  be  enabled. 


^mf^/m^^  ^^^(^l$ka^^ 


100 


SCRIPTURES  OF  THE  OLD  AND  NEW 
TESTAMENTS. 


WE  tenderly  and  earnestly  advise  and  exhort 
all  parents  and  heads  of  families,  that  they  en- 
deavour to  instruct  their  children  and  families  in 
the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, as  contained  in  the  scriptures;  and  that  they 
excite  them  to  the  diligent  reading  of  those  ex- 
cellent writings,  which  plainly  set  forth  the  mi- 
raculous conception,  birth,  holy  life,  wonder- 
ful works,  blessed  example,  meritorious  death, 
and  glorious  resurrection,  ascension  and  medi- 
ation of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  ; 
and  to  educate  their  children  in  the  belief  of 
those  important  truths,  as  well  as  in  the  belief 
or  the  inward  manifestation  and  operation  of 
the  holy  Spirit  on  their  own  minds,  that  they  may 
reap  the  benefit  and  advantage  thereof,  for  their 
own  peace  and  everlasting  happiness ;  which  is 
infinitely  preferable  to  all  other  considerations. 


101 


STOCK. 


AGREED,  that  there  be  collections  brought 
in  from  each  quarterly,  unto  the  next  yearly 
meeting,  for  a  yearly  meeting  stock,  to  defray  • 
the  charges  of  the  said  meeting,  according  to 
the  several  agreements  made  or  hereafter  to  be 
made.     1695. 

A  stock  having  been  generally  kept,  and  by 
experience  found  useful,  for  the  necessary  occa-   ^^°^^  ^^^"S 

*■  ^  '  •'  necessary, 

sions  of  the  society,  it  is  agreed,  that  the  same 
be  occasionally  renewed  by  a  collection  from  each 
quarter  and  that  it  be  continued  in  the  hands  of  ^  ,  ^    , 

^  Is  to  be  placet 

the  treasurer  appointed  by  this  meeting:,  and  sub-   ""^er  care  of 

*^^  -^  .  a  treasurer. 

ject  to  be  drawn  out  by  its  direction  or  by  the 
meeting  for  sufferings,  as  the  exigencies  of  so- 
ciety may  require. 

The  sums  which  may  be  thought  necessary, 
shall  be  raised  by  each  quarter,  in  the  propor- 
tions which  may  be  ascertained  by  this  meeting 
from  time  to  time. 

An  arrangement  of  the  quotas  of  the  seve- 
ral quarterly   meetings,  produced  by  a  commit- 


'■^ 


Qciotas 


102  STOCK. 

tee  appointed  for  that  purpose  was  agreed  to  in 
1804,  as  follows: 

£'  ^-  £' 

Philadelphia  quarter  to  pay  16  0    in  every  lOQ 

Abington  .   .  do 10  0 

Bucks  ...  do 10  0 

Concord  .    .do 11  10 

Cain do 7  0 

Western  ...  do 10  10 

Southern  .  .  .  do.   «  ....  4  0 

Burlington  .  .  do 10  10 

Haddonfield  .do 8  10 

Salem  ....  do 70 

^^T?"'^  ?  do 5     0 

and  Kahway  >  ^ 

f.  100 


lOS 


TAVERNS. 


WE  think  it  necessary  to  caution,  not  only 
the  youth,   but  those  of  riper  aare,  to  avoid  the   , 

•'  .  Improper  al- 

unnecessary  frequenting  of  taverns,  and  other  tendance  at 

„         ,  ..  taverns  iiiju- 

places  of  pubhc  resort  ;  that  they  be  not  expos-  rious. 
ed  to  noisy  company,  and  unprofitable  conver- 
sation ;  or  betrayed  into  the  use  of  strong  li- 
quors, by  which  so  many  have  been  corrupted 
both  in  principle  and  practice,  to  the  ruin  of 
themselves  and  their  families.  And  if  any  are  in 
danger  on  these  accounts,  it  is  desired  that  they 
may  be  timely  and  tenderly  treated  with  in  order 
to  convince  them  of  their  danger. 

Considering  the  temptations  and  snares 
which  they  are  exposed  to,  who  keep  houses  of  traTnlrkeep- 
public  entertainment  or  beer-houses,  the  corrup-  ^'^^  taverns 
ling  influence  of  many  who  resort  to  them, 
and  its  effect  on  the  children  and  families  so  ex- 
posed ;  it  is  the  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that 
our  members  avoid  engaging  in  such  employ- 
ments for  a  livelihood  ;  and  attend  to  the  point- 
ings of  pure  wisdom  for  that  end. 


104  TAVERNS. 

And  it  is  desired,  that  Friends  may  endea- 
Theunneces-    vour,   as  far  as  their  influence  extends  in  the 

sary  increase  .  , 

of  them  to  be     Community,  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  mcrease 
iscourage  .      ^^  taverns,  and  be  cautious  of  signing  petitions 
in  behalf  of  those  who  m^y  apply  for  licences  on 
that  account. 


:f^' 


^,      .^    -^ 


105 


TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL  AND 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 


IT  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  offen- 
ders inclining  to  make  acknowledgment  of  their 
offences  do  prepare  the  same  in  writino;,  and  if,   Acknowied^. 

^^      ^  O'  »    mentstobe 

on  consulting  the  overseers  or  other  judicious  made  in  writ- 
Friends,  the  purport  appears  suitable  to  the  oc- 
casion, and  the  situation  of  the  party  will  ad- 
mit of  it,  he  or  she  may  present  it  to  the  meet- 
ing in  person,  and  stay  till  it  is  read  ;  when, 
after  time  given  for  a  solid  pause,  they  should 
withdraw  before  that  or  any  other  business  is 
proceeded  upon.  The  meeting  is  then  to  con- 
sider the  case,  and  appoint  two  or  more  Friends 
to  inform  the  party  of  the  result. 

When  a  disowned  person  removes  out  of  t^.    ,. 

1^  Direction  resra 

the    verg-e  of  the  meetina:  which  disowned  him  pectingadis- 

'■^  ^  ^  ^  owned  mem- 

or  her,  and  applies  thereto  for  reinstatement,  ac-   •^^r  living  at  a 

distance. 

knowledgmg  their  error,  and  if  by  reason  of  the 
distance  the  applicant  cannot  be  conveniently 
treated  with  in  person,  the  said  meeting  may  cor- 
respond with  the  monthly  meeting  within  the  com- 
pass of  which  he  or  she  resides,  and  inquire  in^ 
to  their  fitness  for  membership  ;  and  if  satisfac- 


106        TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL,  &c. 

tion  on  that  head  is  received,  a  certificate  for  such 
person,  directed  to  the  said  monthly  meeting, 
may  be  forthwith  sent,  acknowledging  him  or 
her  as  a  member  of  our  society. 


Discretionary 
authority  vest- 
ed in  monthly 
meetings. 


Members  un- 
der dealing  to 
have  notice 
previous  to  the 
issuing-  of  a 
testimony. 

And  when  is- 
sued, to  be  in- 
formed of  the 
right  of  appeal. 


As  it  may  not  always  be  necessary  that  pa- 
pers of  acknowledgment  should  contain  a  re- 
cital of  the  occasion  of  disownment  as  specifi- 
ed in  the  testimonies  of  denial,  it  is  agreed  that 
monthly  meetings  be  left  to  their  discretion  in 
this  respect  ;  and  that  neither  testimonies  of  de- 
nial nor  acknowledgments  be  read  at  the  close 
of  our  public  meetings  for  worship.  In  all  cases 
where  a  meeting  apprehends  itself  under  a  ne- 
cessity to  disown  a  member,  let  such  member, 
if  the  occasion  and  his  or  her  situation  will  admit 
of  it,  be  previously  informed  thereof:  And 
when  the  judgment  of  the  meeting  is  issued, 
let  a  copy  thereof  be  delivered  to  the  party  tes- 
tified against,  with  notification  of  liis  or  her 
right  of  appeal. 


^. 


i©r 


TRADE 


IT  beine  evident  that  where  the  manifesta-         ,  .     , 

^       ^  ^   ^  Truth  13  safe 

tions  and  restraints  of  the  Spirit  of  truth  are  in  its  guidance* 
duly  prized  and  regarded,  it  leads  out  of  a  bon- 
dage to  the  spirit  of  this  world,  and  preserves 
the  minds  of  its  followers  from  many  fettering 
and  disqualifying  entanglements  ;  and  contrary- 
wise,  that  an  inordinate  love  and  pursuit  of 
worldly  riches,  often  betrays  those  who  are  cap- 
tivated by  them,  into  many  difficulties  and  dan- 
glers, to  the  great  obstruction  of  the  work  of  truth  inordinate 

*-'  *-*  pursuit  of  rich» 

in  the  heart  :    we  aflPectionately  desire  that  the   ^s  involves  ia 

•^  difficulty. 

counsel  and  gracious  promise  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer to  his  followers,  may  be  borne  in  remem- 
brance by  us,  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  unto  you.'* 

This  meeting  being  earnestly  concerned  that 
the  service  of  our  religious  society  may  not  be 
obstructed,  or  its  reputation  dishonoured,  by 
any  imprudence  of  its  members  in  their  world- 
ly engagements,  recommends  to  all,  that  they  f^XlThia^ 
be  careful  not  to  venture  upon  such  business  as   our  means 

*  and  strictly 

they  do  not  well  understand ;  nor  to  launch  out  fuifiUed. 


Hazardous 


108  TRADE. 

in  trade  beyond  their  abilities,  and  at  the  risk 
of  others  ;  especially  on  the  credit  which  may 
be  derived  from  a  profession  of  the  truth  ;  but 
that  they  bound  their  engagements  by  their 
means  ;  and  when  they  enter  into  contracts,  or 
give  their  words,  that  they  endeavour  on  all  oc- 
casions strictly  to  fulfil  them. 

We  particularly  exhort  that  none  engage  in 
enterprizes  to    such  conccrns  as  depend  on  the  often  deceptive 

be  avoided,  ^  *  ^ 

andaraoderate   probabilities  of  hazardous  enterprizes  ;  but  ra- 

way  of  living" 

kept  to.  ther   content  themselves  with  such  a  plain  and 

moderate  way  of  living  as  is  consistent  with  the 
self-denying  principle  we  make  profession  of; 
whereby  many  disappointments  and  grievous 
perplexities  may  be  avoided,  and  that  tranquilli- 
ty of  mind  obtained  which  is  inseparable  from 
the  right  enjoyment  even  of  temporal  things. 
And  it  is  advised  that,  where  any  among  us 
err,  or  are  in  danger  of  erring  in  these  respects, 
they  be  faithfully  and  timely  admonished. 

It  is  recommended  that  Friends  frequently 
State  of  our       inspect  the  state  of  their  affairs,  and  keep  their 

affairs  to  be 

accuraieiy        accouuts  SO  clcar  and  accurate,  that  they  may, 
^^  ■  at  any  time,  easily  know  whether  they  live  with- 

in the  bounds  of  their  circumstances,  or  not  ; 
and,  in  case  of  death,  that  these  may  not  be 
perplexing  to  survivors.  And  whenever  any 
find  that  they  have  no  more  property  left  than  is 
sufficient  to  discharge  their  just  debts,  it  is  ad- 
vised, that  they  immediately  consult  with  some 


TRADE.  10$ 

judicious  Friends,  and,  without  loss  of  time,   if  a  failure  is 

apprehended, 

make  their  circumstances  known   to  their  ere-   creditors  are 

.  i.  1  f,  to  be  consult- 

ditors,  careiully  avoidmg  the  payment  of  one  m  ed. 
preference  to  another,  that  so  none  may  be  in- 
jured, nor  any  reproach  be   incurred  by  mis- 
management. 


And  where  overseers,   or  other  concerned 

.  Overseers  to 

Friends,   have  reason  to  fear  that  any  person  or  be  vip^iiant  and 

J.       .,        ,         ,.    .  -  ,     .  _  seasonable  in 

lamily,  by  living  above  their  means,  or  from  a  their  advice 
want  of  punctuality  in  fulfiUing  their  contracts, 
or  any  other  cause,  are  declining  in  their  circum- 
stances, and  likely  to  fail,  it  is  recommended  that 
such  be  seasonably  treated  with,  and  (if  it  appear 
requisite)  advised  to  call  their  creditors  together 
without  delay.  And  if,  notwithstanding  this  ad-  Furthered- 
vice,  such  persons  still  persist  and  run  into  em- 
barrassment, to  the  loss  of  others  and  to  their 
own  disreputation,  the  preparative  or  monthly 
meeting  to  which  they  belong,  ought  to  be  time- 
ly  informed  thereof,  and  proceed  to  deal  with  lakruplhc 
them  acccording  to  our  rules  ;  when,  if  this  la- 
bour also  prove  ineffectual,  a  testimony  of  deni- 
al may  be  issued  against  them. 


barrassnnent. 


Preparative 

and  moMthiv' 


case. 


trc.stees  to  1S& 


It  is  advised  that  where  such  failures  occur, 
and  the  cases  are  under  the  care  of  monthly  Assi.g-nees  or 
meetings,  that  the  Friends  appointed  to  visit  the 
parties,  inquire  of  their  assignees  or  trustees, 
how  their  deficiencies  have  happened,  and  report 
accordingly.  And  it  is  the  judgment  of  this 
meeting  that  neither  monthly  nor  other  meet- 


Persons  re- 


lie  TRADE. 

ings  should  receive  subscriptions,  donations  or 
bequests  from  persons  so  circumstanced  until 
they  have  paid  off  their  deficiencies,  or  are 
voluntarily  acquitted  thereof  by  their  creditors  : 
for  it  should  be  remembered  that  though,  in 
such  cases,  the  defaulter  may  have  been  legall)^ 
discharged,  the  property  he  may  afterwards  ac- 
quire is  not  properly  his  own,  till  he  has  fairly 
paid  off  his  former  debts,  to  the  satisfaction  of 
trieving  their     the  Creditors.   Wherefore  we  further  advise  that, 

losses  to  pay  ^ 

theirjustdebts,  if  any  such  persou  or  persons,  on  being  suitably 
reminded  of  their  duty  in  this  respect,  shall  re- 
fuse to  comply  therewith,  inquiry  be  made   in- 

Or  be  disown-    to  the  reason,  and  if  it  be  not  such  as  shall  sa- 

ed.  . 

tisfy  the  monthly  meetings  of  which  they  are 
members,  and,  they  cannot  be  prevailed  with, 
the  said  meetings,  after  a  proper  time  of  labour 
and  forbearance,  may  issue  a  testimony  of  de- 
nial against  them. 

Advised  that  when  Friends  accept  the  officq 
of  trustee  or  assignee,  they  be  active  in  collecting 
the  effects  of  the  estate,  and  punctual  and  speedy 
in  making  distribution. 

Advised  that  Friends  every  where  carefully 
,     ,.       ^  avoid  beins:  any  way  concerned  in  defraudinsj  the 

Defrauding  of  o        J  J  ^  ?d 

the  government  g-Qvernment  of  its  duties ;   that  so  our  ancient 

cautioned  a-         *^  .  . 

gainst.  testimony  in  this  respect  may  be  mviolably  main- 

tained. 


TRADE.  Ill 

We  warn  our  members  against  a  pernicious 
practice  amongst  the  trading  part  of  the  commu-   Mere  paper 
nity,  which  has  often  issued  in  the  ruin  of  those  sL^tent'wST 
concerned  therein,  viz.    That  of  raising  and  cir-  ^^^^^' 
culating  a  kind   of  paper  credit,  with  indorse- 
ments, to  give  it  an  appearance  of  vakie,  with- 
out an  intrinsic  reality  ;   a  practice  which,  as  it 
appears  to  be  inconsistent  with  the  truth  we  pro- 
fess, we  declare  our  disapprobation  of,  and  en- 
treat every  member  of  our  society  to  avoid  and 
discourage. 

We  also  caution  all  in  membership  with  us 
to  avoid  entering  into  joint  securities  with  others,  joint  securities 
under  the  specious  plea  of  rendering  acts  of  kind-  gahistl^^ 
ness  ;  many,  by  so  doing,  having  been  suddenly 
ruined,  and  their  innocent  wives  and  children 
reduced  to  deplorable  circumstances.  ^'  Be 
not  thou,  said  the  wise  man,  one  of  them  that 
strike  hands ;  or  of  them  that  are  sureties  for 
debts.  If  thou  hast  nothing  to  pay,  Avhy  should 
he  take  away  thy  bed  from  under  thee  ?" 

We  affectionately  desire  that  Friends  may  wait 
for  divine  counsel  in  all  their  engagements,  and  Divine  coan- 
not  suffer  their  minds  to  be  huried  away  by  an  in-  ed  sorrmf'^ancL 
ordinate  desire  of  worldly  riches;  remembering 
the  observation  of  the  apostle  in  his  day,  and  so  of- 
ten sorrowfully  verified  in  ours,  that  *'They  who 
will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare  ;'^ 
and,  erring  from  the  faith,  **  pierce  themselves 


trouble  are  the 
consequence. 


112  TRADE. 

through  with  many  sorrows."  Even  when  riches 
to  any  extraordinary  degree  have  been  amassed 
by  the  successful  industry  of  parents,  how 
often  have  they  proved  like  wings  to  their  chil- 
dren, carrying  them  beyond  the  limitations  of 
truth,  into  liberties  repugnant  to  our  religious 
testimonies,  and  sometimes  into  enterprizes, 
which  have  terminated  in  irreparable  damage 
to  their  temporal  affairs,  if  not  an  entire  forget- 
fulness  of  the  great  work  of  the  souPs  salvation. 


113 


WAR 


FRIENDS  are  exhorted  faithfully  to  adhere 
to  our  ancient  testimony  against  wars,  and  fight-   Exhortation 
ings,  and  in  no  way  to  unite  with  any  in  warlike  feffance'^oT our 


V 

that 


measures,  either  offensive  or  defensive,    that  by  ^^^'^""^'Y' 

'     ^  '  •/     we  may  be  in- 

the  inoffensiveness  of  our  conduct  we  may  con-  stmrnentai  in 

•'  the  promotion 

vincingly  demonstrate  ourselves  to  be  real  sub-  of  viessi  ai»s 

'       ,       ^_        .  peacoiu.  reig-n. 

jects  or  the  Messiah's  peaceful  reign,  and  be  in- 
strumental in  the  promotion  thereof,  towards 
its  desired  completion  ;  when,  according  to  an- 
cient prophecy,  "■  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea;  and  its  inhabitants  shall  learn  war  no  more." 

When  goods  have  been  distrained  from  any 
Friends  on  account  of  their  refusal  to  pay  fines   c^stTIillts  not 
for  non-performance  of  mihtary  services,  and  the   uniess^^iuhe^^ 
officers,  after  deducting  the  fines  and  costs,  pro-   ^*"^^  ^''°'^"' 
pose  to  return  the  remainder,  it  is  the  sense  of 
this  meeting,  that  Friends  should  maintain  their 
testimony  by  suifering,  rather  than  accept  such 
overplus,  unless  the  same  or  a  part  of  it  is  re- 
turned without  a  change  of  the  species. 

It  is  declared  to  be  the  sense  of  this  meeting, 
that  furnishing  waggons,  or  other  means    for 


114  WAR. 

Furnishing        convcj^in^  of  military  stores,  is  a  military  ser- 

wag-gons  a  , 

iTiiiitaiy  ser-      vicc,  and  that  the  care  of  elders,  overseers,  and 


vice» 


faithful  Friends,  should  be  extended,  in  true 
love  and  Christian  tenderness,  to  such  as  deviate 
herein,  in  order  to  convince  them  of  their  error. 

It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  a  tax, 
Taxfordrums,   levied  for  the  purchasing  of  drums,  colours,   or 

&c.  contrary  p  ,  ,.,  ,  .,  . 

toourtcstimo-    lor  Other  warlike  uses,  cannot  be  paid  consis- 


tently with  our  Christian  testimony. 

This  meeting  fervently  recommends  to  the 
deep  attention  of  all  our  members  that  they  be 
religiously  guarded  against  approving  or  showing 
the  least  connivance  at  w^ar,  either  by  attending 
at  or  viewing  of  military  operations,  or  in  any 
wise  encouraging  the  unstable  deceitful  spirit  of 

Viewing  raili-  .... 

tary  operations    party,  by  joining  with  political  devices  or  associ- 

oreucourag--  .  ,  •  i        i*  •        i  i  ■• 

ingiheunsia-  atious,  liowcvcr  spcciously  disguiscd  under  the 
i)anyladvised  cusnaring  subtleties  commonly  attendant  there- 
on ;  but  that  they  sincerely  labour  to  experience 
a  settlement  on  the  alone  sure  foundation  of  pure 
unchangeable  truth;  whereby,  through  the  pre- 
valence of  unfeigned  Christian  love  and  good  will 
to  men,  we  may  convincingly  demonstrate  that 
the  kingdom  we  seek  is  not  of  this  world.  A 
kingdom  and  government  whose  subjects  are 
free  indeed  !  redeemed  from  those  captivating 
lusts  from  whence  come  w  ars  and  fightings. 

A  living  concern  for  the  advancement  of  our 
testimony  to  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  Christ, 


against. 


WAR. 


11, 


continuing  to  spread  in  many  minds,  a  fervent 
desire  hath  prevailed  among  us,  thai  the  mem- 
bers of  our  religious  society  would  carefully 
avoid  engaging  in  any  trade  or  business  promo- 
tive of  war,  sharing  or  partaking  of  the  spoils 
of  war  by  purchasing  or  selling  prize  goods, 
importing  or  shipping  goods  in  armed  vessels, 
paying  taxes  for  the  express  purpose  of  war, 
grinding  of  grain,  feeding  of  cattle,  or  selling 
their  property  for  the  use  of  the  army  :  that 
through  a  close  attention  to  the  monitions  of  di- 
vine grace,  and  guarding  against  the  suppression 
of  it  either  in  themselves  or  others,  they  may  be 
preserved  in  a  conduct  consistent  with  our  holy 
profession,  from  wounding  the  minds  or  increas- 
ing the  sufferings  of  each  other  ;  not  at  all 
doubting,  that  he  to  whom  appertains  the  king- 
dom and  the  power  ;  who  is  wonderful  in  work- 
ing, will  continue  to  carry  on  and  perfect  his 
blessed  cause  of  peace  in  the  earth.  A  solid 
attention  to  this  concern  is  recommended  to 
quarterly,  monthly  and  preparative  meetings,  and 
to  our  brethren  in  general,  it  being  the  judg- 
ment of  this  meeting,  that  if  any  of  our  mem- 
bers do  either  openly  or  by  connivance  pay  any 
fine,  penalty  or  tax  in  lieu  of  personal  service  for 
carrying  on  war,  or  allow  their  children,  appren- 
tices or  servants  to  act  therein,  or  are  concern- 
ed in  arming  or  equipping  vessels  with  guns,  or 
deal  in  public  certificates  issued  as  a  compensa- 
tion for  expenses  accrued  or  services  performed 
in  war,  that  they  be  tenderly  dealt  with,  and  if 


Business  con- 
nected with 
war  to  be  a- 
voided. 


Paj^ment  of 
fines  or  taxes 
in  lieu  of  per- 
sonal service, 
arming  ves- 
sels or  trading" 
in  certificates 
issued  for  the 
purpose  of  war, 
cause  of  deal- 
ing and  if  un-  ' 
successful, 
disowniTient. 


116  WAR. 

they  cannot  be  brought  to  an  acknowledgment 
of  their  error,  monthly  meetings  are  at  liberty 
to  testify  against  them. 

It  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meet- 

ing  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  our  religious  tes- 

Miiitarytaxor   timouv   and  principle  for  any  Friend  to  pay   a 

line  not  t-.  be  ^  ^     "^    ^ 

paid  however  fine  or  tax,  levied  on  them  on  account  of  their 
refusal  to  serve  in  the  militia,  although  such  fine 
or  imposition  may  be  applied  towards  defraying 
the  expenses  of  civil  government ;  and  where  de- 
viations in  this  respect  occur,  tender  dealing  and 
advice  should  be  extended  to  the  party  in  order 
to  their  convincement  and  restoration ;  and  if 
this  proves  ineffectual,  monthly  meetings  shoulcl 
proceed  to  testify  against  them. 


117 


WILLS 


KNOWING  how  quickly  many  are  remov- 
ed by  death,  it  is  weightily  recommended,  that 
care  be  taken  by  each  monthly  meeting,  that 
Friends  who  have  estates  to  dispose  of,  be  ad-    wills  to  be 

■■■  macie  in  time 

vised  to  make  their  wills  in  time  of  health,  and   of  health, 
strength    of   judgment,   and  therein  to   direct 
their  substance  as  in  justice  and  wisdom  may  be 
to  their  satisfaction  and  peace  ;    laying  aside  all 
resentment,  though  occasion  may  have  been  giv-   Resentment  to 
en,  lest  it  should  go  with  them  to  the  grave  ;  re-    J^^^'"^^^^^' 
membering  we  all  stand  in  need  of  mercy  and 
forgiveness.      Making  such  wills   in  due  time 
can  shorten  no  one's  days,  but  the  omission,  or 
delay  thereof  to  a  time  of  sickness,  when  the 
mind  should  not  be  diverted  from  a  solemn  con- 
sideration  of  the  approaching  awful  period  of 
life,  has  often  proved  very  injurious  to  many, 
and  been  the  occasion  of   creating  animosities 
in  families,  which  the  seasonable  performance  of 
this  necessary  duty  might  have  effectually  pre- 
vented. 

Friends  are  earnestly  recommended  to  em- 
ploy persons  skilful  in  the  law,  and  of  good  re- 


118  WILLS. 

pute,  to  make  their  wills,  as  great  inconvenience 
wins  to  be  and  loss,  and  sometimes  the  ruin  of  families 
sonrquaiified  havc  happened  through  the  unskilfulness  of  some 
t  ere  or.  ^^j^^  j^^^^  taken  upon  them  to  write  wills,  be- 

ing unqualified  to  act  in  a  matter  of  such  impor- 
tance. And  all  Friends  who  may  become  exe- 
cutors or  administrators  are  advised  to  make  a 
full,  clear  and  perfect  inventory  of  the  estate  and 
effects  of  the  deceased,  early  after  the  interment, 
as  many  difficulties  and  disputes  have  arisen, 
and  sometimes  injustice  been  done  for  want  of 
it,  or  by  deferring  it  too  long. 


119 


WOMEN'S  MEETINGS. 


FORASMUCH  as  our  women^s  meetings 
for  discipline  were  set  up  and  established  in  di-  Established  in 
vine  wisdom,  and  by  long  experience  have  been  ^^''^^^^'^  °^ 
found  of  advantage,  not  only  to  the  society  in 
general,  but  to  the  youth  of  their  own  sex,  in 
particular ;  it  is  earnestly  desired,  they  may  be 
encouraged  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  their 
brethren  in  that  part  of  the  discipline  of  the 
church  properly  claiming  their  attention  and 
care.  On  considering  the  nature  and  extent 
whereof,    it  is  apprehended  a  benefit  mieht  ac-   ^,  .        .  _ 

'  rr  o  Their  servic^s*^" 

crue,  by  explicitly  setting  forth  their  distinct   as  follow. 
allotment  and  separate  services  in  their  monthly 
and  quarterly  meetings,  and  also  in  their  yearly 
meeting. 

Women's  monthly  meetings  ;  are.  First, 
To  inspect  and  relieve  the  wants  of  the  poor  of  careofthe 
their  own  sex ;  and  where  their  own  funds  are  in-   ^°°^ 
sufficient,  they  are  to  apply  to  the  men's  meet-  ^^JH, 

ing  for  their  aid,  and  for  their  concurrence,  as 
cases  shall  require.^ 

Second,     To  take  cognizance  of  proposals 
of  marriage,  and  appoint  two  of  their  members 


120  WOMEN'S  MEETINGS. 

mar?hfffe^^^  to  inquire  into  the  conversation  and  clearness 
of  the  Vvoman  ;  also  two  to  the  oversight  of  the 
marriage. 

Third,     They  are  to  appoint  a  suitable  num- 
ber of  overseers,  who  are  to  treat  with  offenders 

i)ig  o^^enders!"  °^  ^^^^"*  °^^'^^  ^^^  '  ^^^"^  ^^^^'^^  ^^^es  be  laid  before 
the  women's  preparative,  and  if  needful  their 
monthh'  meeting,  which  should  proceed  to  deal 
further  with  such  delinquents  and  report  the  re- 
sult of  their  labours  to  the  men's  meeting  ;  and 
if  further  dealing  is  expedient,  the  men  should 
appoint  a  committee  to  unite  with  the  women 
therein  ;  the  report  of  which  joint  committee  is 
to  be  made  to  each  meeting,  and  the  women  hav- 
ing considered  the  same,  are  to  inform  the  men's 
meeting  of  their  sense  thereon,  and  the  subject 
to  be  finally  resulted  by  the  men  :  but  when  a 
case  is  brought  by  the  women  into  the  men's 
meeting,  if  on  solid  consideration  further  deal- 
ing does  not  appear  to  be  needful,  and  the  men 
are  most  easy  to  issue  it,  a  committee  should  be 
appointed  to  prepare  a  testimony  ofdisownment, 
which,  when  approved,  is  to  be  sent  to  the  wo- 
men's meeting  for  their  concurrence,  and  care  in 
delivering  it  to  the  party. 

Fourth,      On  application  of  a  woman  for  ad- 
mission or  reinstatement  into  membership  ;    af- 
Admissionor     tcr  a  rcligious  carc  therein  hath  been  exercised 

reinstatement  ... 

into  member-     by  womcn    ovcrscers,    and   in    the  preparative 
^^^^"  meeting  as  the  case  may  require,   the  women's 


Certificates. 


WOMEN'S  MEETINGS.  isi 

monthly  meeting  is  to  make  an  appointment  to 
join  the  men,  the  report  of  which  united  com- 
mittee is  to  be  made  to  each  meeting,  and  the 
women's  meeting  having  considered  the  same, 
are  to  convey  their  sense  thereon  to  the  men's 
meeting,  where  the  subject  shall  be  considered 
and  finally  resulted. 

Fifth,  They  are  to  join  in  certificates  of 
removal  for  wom^n  Friends  ;  in  order  whereto, 
the  women's  monthly  meeting  is  to  appoint  two 
or  more  of  their  members  to  make  the  necessary 
inquiry,  that  the  same  may  be  prepared  ;  and, 
after  being  considered  in  the  women's,  is  to  be 
laid  before  the  men's  meeting ;  and  when  there 
approved  and  signed,  returned  to  the  women's 
meeting  for  their  signature ;  but  if  the  certifi- 
cate- is  intended  to  include  one  or  more  males, 
then  they  are  to  report  the  result  of  their  inqui- 
ry to  the  Friends  named  on  the  like  inquiry  by 
the  men's  meeting ;  in  which  the  certificate  be- 
ing approved  and  signed,  is  to  be  sent  to  the  wo- 
men's meeting  for  their  concurrenceand  signing. 
And  all  certificates  received  for  women  Friends, 
are  to  be  laid  before  the  men's  meeting,  before 
they  can  be  fully  accepted  by  the  women's 
mectins:. 


Sixth,     When    a  woman  minister  appre- 
hends herself  under  a  reli2;ious  eno-asrement  to    Concerns  pf 

o  o   D  ministers. 

travel  in  truth's  service,  she  is  first  to  spread  her 
concern  before  the  women's   meeting,    and  if 

R 


122  WOMEN'S  MEETINGS. 

united  with,  the  same  is  to  be  laid  before  the 
men's  meeting,  whose  result  is  to  be  communi- 
cated to  the  women's  meeting ;  to  which,  when 
a  certificate  for  that  purpose  is  prepared  and 
signed  by  the  men's  meeting,  it  is  to  be  sent  fof 
their  concurrence  and  signing. 

Scoenth,     When  the  nomination  of  a  wo- 
man elder  is  judgedexpedient,  the  women's  meet- 
Appointment     .  .        .    ,.  .  .  .  . 
of  elders.          ing  should  appomt  a  judicious  committee,  to  jom 

a  like  committee  of  the  men's  meeting  in  the 
consideration  thereof;  whose  united  report  is  to 
be  communicated  to  each  meeting ;  and  the  wo- 
men's meeting,  after  due  deliberation  and  pre- 
vious to  their  making  any  conclusive  minute 
thereon,  are  to  impart  their  sense  to  the  men's 
meeting  for  their  judgment  and  determination. 

Eighth,       The  women's  preparative  meet- 
ing's w  here  more  than  one  constitute  a  month- 

Sevv.ces  of  ^  ^ 

preparative        ly    meeting,   are    to  consider  and  answer  the 

mectiiig-s.  .       .  .  .         ,     , 

queries  :  which  is  likewise  to  be  done  m  their 
monthly  meetings  ;  from  which  they  are  to  re- 
port the  state  of  each  monthly  meeting  to  their 
respective  quarterly  meeting ;  to  attend  which 
as  their  representatives,  they  should  nominate 
two  or  more  of  their  members. 

WOMEN'S  QUARTERLY  MEETINGS. 

First.     When  a  woman  minister  under  a 
religious   concern  to    travel   in  truth's   service, 


WOMEN'S  MEETINGS.  123 

produces  to  the  quarterly  meeting  a  certificate  of 

the  approbation  of  the  monthly  meeting  of  which   certificates  for 

t       .  1  -n^t  -  1       •  1       ministers  and 

she  IS  a  member,  if  the  concern  is  concurred  with   consideration 
in  the  women's  meeting,  it  should  be  submitted  cIi^nTto'tra- 
to  the  men's  meeting,  and  when  approved,  an  en-   senTcr '^' '* 
dorsement  to  that  effect  should  be  made  on  the 
certificate,  signed  by  the  clerk,  and  returned  to 
the  women's  meeting  for  signing  by  their  clerk. 


Second,     They  are  to  receive  the  written 

Reports  con- 

accounts    sent    from    the   respective    women's  veyedtoihe 
, ,  .  ,  •      1  1 .         I   yearly  meet- 

monthly   meetings,  and  transmit  the  collected  mg. 

answers  to  the  queries,  with  such  other  matters 
as  appear  needful,  to  the  women's  yearly  meet- 
ing ;  to  attend  the  service  whereof,  each  quarterly   Representa. 
meeting  is  to  appoint  a  suitable  number  of  re- 
presentatives. 

Third,  They  are  to  communicate  to  their 
respective  monthly  meetings,  such  advices  as 
they  apprehend  necessary,  with  any  epistles  or 
writings  issued  for  that  purpose  by  their  yearly  ces" 
meeting ;  nominate  committees  at  the  request 
of  the  men's  meeting  to  visit  their  monthly 
meetings,  or  for  any  other  service  which  the 
men's  meeting  shall  judge  expedient  ;  and  in 
all  respects,  they  are  to  attend  to  those  matters 
which  may  properly  come  under  the  notice  and 
care  of  women's  quarterly  meetings. 


124 


WOMEN'S  MEETINGS. 


Correspon- 
dence  with 
other  yearly 
meetings. 


THE  YEARLY  MEETING  OF  WOMEN 
FRIENDS, 

Held  annually  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  time  of 
holding  this  meeting,  is  at  liberty  to  correspond 
with  any  other  yearly  meetings  of  their  own 
sex,  either  in  America  or  elsewhere,  and  to  issue 
such  counsel  and  admonition  to  their  own  quar- 
terly and  monthly  meetings,  as  in  the  wisdom 
of  truth  shall  appear  conducive  to  real  benefit 
and   mutual   edification  ;     but  the    said   yearly 

No  Interfe-  .  .  . 

rence  with  ap-  meeting  IS  uot  to  hear  or  determme  on  any  ap- 
peals or  mak-  IP 
ing  discipline,    peal,  uor  at  liberty  to  make  or  alter  any  rules  of 

discipline  or  queries. 


stock. 


They  are  to  have  a  stock  of  their  own,  for 
such  services  as  may  fall  more  properly  under 
their  notice. 


Fair  records 
to  be  preserv- 
ed. 


And  finally  it  is  desired  that  a  fair  record  be 
kept  of  the  minutes  and  proceedings  of  the  year- 
ly, quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  of  women 
Friends  ;  and  tl^t  annually  their  representatives 
to  the  yearly  meeting  exercise  a  proper  religious 
care  in  the  choice  of  a  clerk. 


125 


YEARLY  MEETING. 


IT   appears   by  the  records,   that  our  first 
yearly  meethig  was  held  at  Burlington  in  New 
Jersey  the  thirty- first  day  of  the  Sixth  Month, 
1681,  O.  S.  for  the  provinces  of  Pennsylvania,   tr^Zlhli^ 
and  New  Jersey  ;  that  in  1685,  it  was  agreed  to  [^^f/^'^VoW- 
beheld  alternately  at  Burlins-ton  and  Philadel-   inj-ittothe 

•^  ^  present  year, 

phia;  that  in  1755  the  time  of  holding  it  was  isoe. 
changed  to  the  Ninth  Month  ;  that  in  1760  it 
was  concluded  to  be  held  at  the  same  time  at 
Philadelphia  only  ;  and  that  in  1798,  the  time  of 
holding  it  was  altered  to  the  third  Secoild-day  in 
the  Fourth  Month,  as  it  now  is  ;  the  yearly 
meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  to  be  on  the 
seventh  day  of  the  week  preceding ;  and  both 
to  begin  at  the  tenth  hour. 

It  is  agreed  that  such  Friends  as  may  be  ap- 

-  •Tin  Committee  on 

ponited  to  prepare  epistles  snail  meet  together  epistles. 
before  they  proceed  on  the  service,  and  also  ex- 
amine the  several  essays  previous  to  their  being; 
laid  before  this  meeting. 

Agreed  that  all  letters  or  papers  directed  to 
the  yearly  meeting,  except  from  such  meetings 


i 


126  YEARLY  MEETING. 

Letters  or  pa-    ^s  rcsTularlv  Correspond  therewith,   be  first  ne- 
pers to  be  ex-  o  .  r  .  •>  r 

amined.  ruscd  bv  a  few  Friends  to  be  appointed,  who 

are  to  consider  and  report  whether  the  same  be 
proper  to  be  read  in  this  meeting  or  not. 


Agreed,  that  when  extracts  from  the  mi- 
nutes of  this  meeting  are  ordered  to  be  sent  to 
the  minutes  the  quarterly  meetings,  a  full  copy  shall  be  sent 
meetings  for      by  cach  of  thosc  meetings  to  their  respective 

disc!i<line.  i  i  • 

monthly  meetmgs,  and  by  the  monthly  to  each 
of  their  preparative  meetings,  in  order  that 
each  meeting  may  have  a  copy  thereof,  to  have 
recourse  to  as  occasions  may  require. 


Extracts  from 


Certificates  to  T\i^  Certificates  of  such  Friends,  members 

meeifnV"  ^^^    ^^  Other  yearly  meetings,  who  from  a  religious 

concern  are  drawn  to  attend  this,    are   to  be 

read  herein. 


E  N  n. 


INDEX. 


ACCOUNTS— 

See  Discipline,  relating-  to  sufferings,        -        -        .  35 

Meeting  houses,  respecting  papers,  records,  &c.      -  53 

Sufferings,         -._ 56 

Memorials,         - 61 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS,              105 

APPEALS, 1 

Notice  to  be  given  by  the  individual,         -         -         .  f^. 

Committee  of  the   monthly  meeting  to  attend  the 

quarter,        -        - jIj^ 

Committee  of  the  quarter  to  consider  the  appeal,         -  ib. 

Appeal  carried  to  the  yearly  meeting  and  committee 

of  the  quarter  appointed  to  attend  it,        -        -        -  2 

See  testimonies  of  denial, 106 

ARBITRATIONS, 3 

Mode  prescribed  for  settling  differences  in  the  first 

instance, n,^ 

Either  party  not  complying  with  the  order  recom- 
mended, to  be  complained  of  to  the  monthly  meeting,  4 

An  erroneous  or  unjust  award,  cause  of  rehearing,       .  ib. 

Arbitrators  may  consult  comisel  in  the  law,         -        .  5 

Cases  particularly  circumstanced,  are  exceptions  to 

the  positive  rules, ib. 

Permission  for  a  trial  at  law, 6 

Overseers  in  certain  cases,  to  advise  a  speedy  settle- 
ment without  reference, ib. 

Preparative  meeting  concurring  with  the  judgment 

of  the  overseers — the  complaint  to  be  dismissed,  7 
S 


INDEX. 

BIRTIfS  AND  BURIALS, 8 

Appointment,  for  the  preservation  of  order  and  so- 

lemnity  at  burials, ii>. 

Caution  against  attending  the  worship  of  those  not  in 
communion  with  us, 9 

No  meeting  to  be  appointed  at  interments  of  such  as 
are  not  members — nor  invitations  made  in  our 
meetings  but  for  those  interred  in  our  grounds,         -      ib. 

Caution  respecting  invitations  to  funerals  in  our 
grounds,  if  the  persons  were  not  in  membership,  ih. 

Formal  or  customary  meetings  at  interments  advised 

against, z^. 

Appointment  to  the  care  of  burial  grounds,         -         -       10 

Monuments  of  wood  or  stone  to  be  removed  from  our 

grave  yards, i6. 

Mourning  habits  advised  against,         -         -         -         -      ib. 

Record  of  births  and  burials  to  be  kept,  the  forms  ex- 
emplified,          11 

BLASPHEMY— 

See  conduct  and  conversation,            -        -         -        -        23 
BOOKS, 12 

Oversight  of  writings,  vested  in  the  meeting  for  suf- 
ferings,          ib. 

Persons  publishing  contrary  to  advice,  to  be  disowned,       ib. 

Printers  not  to  sell  or  lend  pernicious  books,         -         -      13 

See  meeting  for  sufferings, 55 

CERTIFICATES,  ....  -14 

For  travelling  Friends  to  be  seasonably  returned,  and 
all  certificates  to  be  recorded,         -         .        -         -       ib. 

Mode  of  signing,         -         -         -         -         -         ~         ~     ib. 

See  also  women's  meetings,  -  -       121,  122,  &.  123. 

Residence  gained  on  receipt  of  the  certificate,  -         15 

Persons  falling  into  necessitous  circumstanres,  -         H,. 

Persons  who  are  reduced  through  unavoidable  los- 
ses, to  be  assisted, jg 

Certificates  to  be  sent  after  such  as  liave  removed 

without  applying  for  them, i^ 

If  their  conduct  has  been  exceptionable,  they  are  to 
be  treated  with,  agreeably  to  the  manner  pointed  out,        ib. 

See  also  a  case  nearly  similar  under  discipline,  .         34 

Parents,  guardians,  &c.  to  apply  for  certificates  for 
minors, ^y 


INDEX. 

Persons  coming  amongst  Friends,  without  certificates 

and  being-  of  disorderly  condact,  to  be  treated  with,  18 

Recommendation  to  visit  such  who  bring  certificates,  ib. 

Certificates  for  services  in  war,  not  to  deal  in  them. 

See  war,             .             .             .             .             .  115 

Ministers  and  elders, 65,  66,  67 

Concerning  marriage,  -        .        .        -        44,  47,  49 

See  Acknowledgments,           -           -         -         .         .  106 

Women's  meetings,         -         -         -         .         121,  122,  123. 

Yearly  meeting, 125 

CHARITY  AND  UNITY, 19 

Implacable  enmity  to  be  testified  against,           -         -  ib. 

Caution  against  resentment.     See  wills,        -         -         -  117 

CIVIL  GOVERNMENT, 20 

No  office  or  station  to  be  accepted,  the  duties,  or  ex- 
ercise whereof  may  violate  our  testimonies,             -  ib. 

Election  to  offices  or  stations,           ....  21 

Caution  against  defrauding.     See  trade,            -         -  110 
CLERKS— 

See  discipline,           --._-_-  37 

Women's  meetings,           .         .         -          -          _  124 

CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION,           -         -        -  22 

Immorality  testified  against,         -             _         -         .  ib. 

Blasphemy,  and  denial  of  the  divinity  of  Christ — testi- 
fied against, ib. 

Strict  justice  to  be  ob3er\'ed  in  all  our  dealings,          -  ib. 
CORRESPONDENCE— 

See  meeting  for  sufferings, 56 

Women's  meetings 124 

CONVINCED  PERSONS,            ....  25 

Order  prescribedforreceivingpersonsmto membership,  ib. 

Nation  or  colour,  no  obstruction  if  the  applicant   is 

united  to  us  in  principle  and  practice,      -         -         -  25 
DANCING— 

See  diversions, 40 

DAYS  AND  TIMES,            ....  27 

Reasons  for  not  observing  fasts,  &.c.           -         -         -  ib. 

DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION,       ...  29 

Gospel  order  held  up  to  view,            ....  ib. 

Persons  guilty  of  detraction  to  be  dealt  with,            -  30 

Reporters  and  tale  bearers  also  to  be  dealt  with,        -  ib. 
DEISM— 

See  conduct  and  conversation,           .        ,        -        -  23 


INDEX. 

DISCIPLINE  AND  MEETINGS  FOR  DISCIPLINE,  31 

Connection  and  subordination  of  meeting^s,        -        -  ib. 

Meeting's  are  set  up  by  superior  meetings,            -        -  32 

A  meeting  for  worship  consisting  of  members  of  one 

or  more  montltly  meetings,             ..         „         .         -  ib. 

Minutes  of  the  business  of  meetings  to  be  kept  in 

books  provided  for  the  purpose,             .         _         -  ib. 

Cases  that  are  too  weighty  or  difficult  for  monthly 

meetings,  should  claim  the  care  of  quarterly  meetings,  33 

Copies  of  minutes  or  records  may  be  granted  to  meet- 
ings, or  individuals,             .             -             -             -  33 

Representatives  to  be  appointed,  to  attend  quarterly 

and  yearly  meetings,  -  -  -  33  &  34 

Mode  of  treating  with  such  as  reside  at  a  distance,  34 

See  also  certificates,            .             _            .            -  17 

Offenders  not  to  sit  in  meetings  for  discipline,           -  35 

Explicit  accounts  ofsufTeringstobe  forwarded  by  quar- 
terly meetings  to  meetings  for  sufferings,         -         -  ib. 

Rights   of  children  whose  parents  have  been  married 

contrary  to  our  order,            -             -             -             -  36 

Sorcery,  to  be  testified  against,         -             -             -  ib. 

Clerks  to  be  seasonably  changed,            -            -        -  37 

Use  and  design  of  preparative  meetings,         -             -  ib. 

DONATIONS  AND  SUBSCRIPTIONS,            -            -  38 
ELDERS— 

To  be  chosen,            -----  63 

Mode  of  their  appointment,         -            -            -         -  64 

Their  appearances  in  the  ministry,            -            .        -  ib., 
EXTRACTS— 

See  vearly  meeting,                 .             .             -              -  126 

FAMILY  VISITS, 39 

FASTS  AND  FESTIVALS— 

See  davs  and  times,               -             -             -             -  27 

GAMING  AND  DIVERSIONS,            -            -            -  40 

Different  kinds  enumerated  as  cause  of  disownment,  ib. 
GOSPEL  ORDER— 

See  it  quoted  under  defamation  and  detraction,            -  29 

Alluded  to,  in  overseers,            -            -            -        -  79 
GRAVE  STONES— 

See  burials,                 -             -            -             .             -  10 

LAW, -        -  41 

Refusal  to  pay  debts  cause  of  disownment,            -  ib. 


INDEX. 

Debtors  effects  to  be  surrendered  or  they  disowned,  41 

Christian  charity  to  be  exercised,  ...        f^. 

Ability  to  pay  deficiences  if  not  complied  with,  cause 

of  disownment,        -  -  -  -  -        42 

See  also,  trade,  -  -  -  -  110 

Suing  at  law  except  with  certain  restrictions  disallow- 
ed of  and  to  be  testified  against,  -  -  43. 
LEGACIES  AND  BEQUESTS— 

See  donations,  -  -  -  -  -      38 

Meeting  for  sufferings,  -  -  -  -       56 

Qiieries,  -  -  -  -  -  -      92 

LIBERTY  OF  CONSCIENCE— 

SeecwW  government,  -  -  -  -      20 

LOTTERIES— 

See  gaming,  -  -  -  _  -  40 

MARRIAGES, 44 

The  consent  of  parents  and  certificates  of  clearness 
to  be  produced  previous  to  the  accomplishment  of 
marriage,  .......  n,^ 

No  marriage  to  be  permitted  sooner  than  one  year 

after  the  death  of  husband  or  wife,        -         -         .        4 5 
All  marriages  of  members,  contrary  to   our  order, 

testified  against,  -  -         _         -  -  /^. 

Parties  intending  marriage  not  to  reside  in  the  same 

house,  -  -  -  -  -        -        lb. 

No  marriage  to  be  accomplished  at  a  meeting  for  busi- 
ness or  on  first  days, 46 

Admonition  to  such  as  keep  company  with  servants  or 

apprentices,  in  order  to  marriage,  -        -         -         ib. 

And  also  to  such  as  attend,  or  consent  to  their  children 
attending  marriages  of  those  not  in  membership, 
where  a  priest  officiates,         -         .         .         .        .         ib. 
Order  prescribed  for  the  accomplishment  of  marriage,        47 
Children  of  widows  should  have  their  rights  secur- 
ed,   previous  to   their  mother's  forming    a  new 

connection, 48 

Intemperance,  and  all  indecent  conduct  to  be  guarded 
against,  but  if  observed  the  offenders  to  be  speedily 

admonished, ib. 

Form  of  marriage  certificate,  ....        49 

Marriages  of  first  cousins,  or  with  wife's  half  sister, 
cannot  be  permitted,  .        .        -        .        -         50 


^.<^ji 


INDEX. 

Religious  care  for  the  preservation  cff  the  youth  recom- 
mended,          51 

Parents  to  be  treated  with  if  they  consent  to  their  chil- 
dren marrying-  with  those  not  in  membership,         -  52 

See  queries, 92 

MEETING  HOUSES,            -               -            -            -  53 

Timely  care  advised  for  inspection  of  titles  of  real 
estate  held  by  meetings,  that  the  trusts  may  be  sea- 
sonably renewed, id. 

Regular  account  to  be  preserved,  when,  and  with 
whom  the  papers,  minutes,  5cc.  of  meetings  are  de- 
posited,               ib. 

MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS,             ...  54 

Its  services  and  duties  -  -  -  54  to  57 

MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP, 58 

Neglect  ofattendiiig them  requires  early  care  and  labour,  59 

Such  who  wilfully  neglect  them  and  are  not  reclaimed 

by  the  labour  of  friends  to  be  disow-ned,             -         -  60 

Drowsiness  in  meeting, — is  offensive,             -        ^        .  /^. 
MEETINGS  FOR  DISCIPLINE— 

See  discipline,  &c.         -             -             -             -             -  ib. 

MEMORIALS, 61 

See  meeting  for  sufferings,             -             -         -         -  56 

MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS, 62 

Advice  to  ministers, ib. 

Misbehaviour  of  ministers  requires  admonition,         -  63 

Public  opposition  to  approved  ministers  disallowed,  ib. 

Elders,  to  be  chosen, ib. 

Mode  of  their  appointment,            -        .         .         .  64 

Recommendation  of  ministers,             _         _         .         .  jb, 

Xo  minister  to  appoint  meetings  out  of  the  limits  of 
their  quarterly  meeting,  but  with  the  consent  of  the 

monthly  meeting, -  65 

Elders,  appearing  in  the  ministry,          -         -         -  ib. 

Ministers   concerned  to   travel  are  to    spread  their 

concerns  before  the  nnonthly  meetings,             -         -  ib. 

General  religious  visits  are  to  have  the  concurrence 

of  the  quarterly  meeting,             ....  66 

Preparative  meetings  of  ministers  and  elders,         -         -  ib. 

Quavt(  rly  meetings,         of  ditto,             -            -         -  ib. 

Yearly  n.eeting,               of   ditto,          -         .         -         -  67 

Concerns  of  ministers  for  crossing  the  seas,  to  be  con- 
sidered in  the  yearly  meeting,            .        .        .        .  ik 


INDEX. 

Meetings  of  ministers  and  elders  are  not  to  interfere 

with  meetings  for  discipline,             .         -         -         -  67 
Mode  of  treating  with  a  minister  or  elder  who  may 

lose  his  or  her  service, ^^ 

See  women's  meetings,  -        -        -         121,  122, 123 

MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE— 

Idle  company  and  evil  practices  to  be  avoided,         -         -   70 

Giving  or  receiving  strong  liquors  at  vendues,             -  ?^. 

Ruinous  effects  of  distilled  spirituous  liquors,             -  71 

Moderation,  at  marriages,  &.c    recommended,           -  ilf- 
Distillation  of  spirits  from  grain,  or  retailing  such  li- 
quors, causes  of  disownment,            -            -            -7^ 

See  queries,  4th  and  7th,                 .             -             -  91 

MOURNING  HABITS,  ^ef  Burials,            -            -            -  10 

MUSIC,  See  Diversions,             r             -             -             -         -  40 

NEGROES  OR  SLAVES,          ...            .        .  73 
Advice,  assistance  and  school  learning  to  be  given  to 

this  people,         ...            -            -  74 

Hiring  slaves,  opposes  our  testimony,            -            -  H. 

Caution  to  executors  and  administrators,             -         -  if?. 

Advice  to  such  as  have  held  slaves,             -             -  il^- 
The  importation,  selling,  purchasing  or  giving  away 

slaves,  testified  against,             -             -             -         -  75 

The  traffic  for  slaves  displeasing  to  the  Almighty,  76 

OATHS, 77 

Members  holding  stations  in  government  and  admini- 
stering or  conniving  at  their  clerks  administering 
Oaths,  to  be  treated  with,            -            -            -  78 
Violation  or  breach  of  this  testimony  testified  against,  ib. 
Friends  advised  against  electing  or  promoting  their 
brethren  to  offices  in  government  whereby  this  tes- 
timony may  be  violated,               ...  id. 
Recommendation  respecting  witnesses  to  instruments 

of  writing,             -----  z6 
OFFICES  IN  GOVERNMENT— 

^ee  civil  government,  -  -  -        -        20,21 

Oaths,            -            -            -            -            -            -  78 

OVERSEERS, 79 

Their  service  and  duty,             -             -             -        -  ib. 
Appointment  of  a  committee  once  ia  three  years  to 

consider  of  changing  them,            -            .            -  80 

PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN,            -            -            -  81 


INDEX. 

Youth  exhorted  to  avoid  ensnaring  coftuptions,  -  81 
Such  who  go  into  extravagant  fashions  or  fall  into  evil 

company  and  excesses  to  be  treated  with,            -  83 

Parents  indulging  their  children  in  extravagance,         -  ib. 

Children  to  be  brought  up  to  industry,  -  -  ib. 
Children  of  the  poor  to  be  instructed  in  useful  imploy- 

ments,  on  moderate  terms,  -  -  -  ib. 
Parents  consenting  to  their  children  transgressing  our 

order  respecting  marriage,             -            -.            -  52 

PLAINNESS,            .            .            -            -            -  .      84 

Caution  to  tradesmen  and  others,  -  -  ib. 
Maintenance  of  this  testimony  in  our  speech,  without 

respect  to  persons,            -            -            -            -  85 

See  the  3d  query,            -            -            -            •  -    90 

POOR,                -                -                -                -             -  87 

Advice  and  assistance  to  be  afforded  them,        -        -  ib. 

Funds  to  be  raised  for  tliis  purpose,            -            -  ib. 

Situation  of  our  fellow  members  not  to  be  exposed,  ib. 

See  4th  query,             -             -             -             -             -  91 

See  women's  meetings,          -            -            .            -  119 

PRIEST'S  WAGES  OR  HIRELING  MINISTRY,  88 

Gospel  ministry,  free,            .            .             ,            «  H;, 

Violation  of  this  testimony  to  be  testified  against,  -      ib. 

See  query  6th,                -            -            -            -  -     91 

QUERIES,                -                -                -                -             .  89 

For  meetings  for  discipline,         -            -          -          89  to  94 

For  meetings  of  ministers  and  elders,            ,        -    95  to  96 

QUOTAS— 

See  stock,                -            ,            -            •            »  102 

RACES— 

See  gaming  and  diversions,            -           -           -  40 

RECORDS— 

^fe  births  and  burials,             -             -             -             r-  11 

Certificates,             -----  I4 

Discipline,         -             -             -             -             -  -     32 

Copies  to  be  given,             .            ...  33 

Marriage  certificates,         -        -            -            -  -    49 

Meetinghouses,         -----  53 

Qiiery,  9th,            -            -            -            -            -  -      92 

Women's  meetings,                 -             -             -           -  124 

Yearly  meeting,           -----  125 


INDEX. 

RELIGIOUS  VISITS— 

See  families,  ,  -  ...  39 

Ministers  and  elders,  -  -  -  65  Sc  67 

Women's  meetings,  -  -  -  121  &  123 

REMOVALS— 

See  certificates,  -  -  -  -  14  to  13 

Discipline  treating  with  such  as  are  at  a  distance,  34 

Acknowledgments,  ...  -  105 

Women's  meetings,         -  -  -  -  121 

RE  PRE  SE  NT  ATI  VE  S— 

See  discipline,  -  -  -  -         33  &  34 

Ministers  &  elders,  -  -  -         -        65  &  67 

Women's  meetings,  -  -  122,  123  8c  124 

RIGHTS  OF  CHILDREN— 

^ee  discipline,  -  -  -  -  ~  oS 

Marriages,  children  of  widows,  -  .        .      48 

SCHOOLS—  - S^ 

5'ee  queries,  .  -  -  -  -  94 

Negroes,  -  -  -  -  --/'4 

SCRIPTURES, 100 

SORCERY— 

See  discipline,  -  -  -  -  -         35 

SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS— 

Dram  drinking.     See  moderation  and  temperance,         -      70 
Distilling  or  retailing  those  from  grain,  -  -      72 

Taverns,         .-----         103 

STOCK, 101 

Arrangement  of  the  quotas,  .  .  -         103 

See  women's  meetings,  -  -  -  -       124 

TAVERNS,  .  ...  103 

Unnecessary  frequenting  them  to  be  avoided,         -         -     ib. 

Caution  against  keeping  them,  -  -  -        ib- 

Friends  to  exert  their  influence  against  the  unnecces- 

sary  increase  of  them,         ...  -        104 

TAXES— 

See,,-^v,  ...  -  114,115,116 

TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL  AND  ACKNOWLEDG- 

MENTS,  ...  -  -  105 

Acknowledgments  to  be  in  writing,  -  -  ^b- 

Mode  prescribed  for  acknowledgments  of  persons  re- 


INDEX. 

Discretional  authority  vested  in  monthly  meetings,  re- 
specting the  recital  of  the  occasion  of  disownment,  106 

Members  under  dealing-  to  be  notified  that  a  testimony 

is  to  be  issued,             -             -             -             -         -  ib. 

Information  of  the  right  of  appeal,              -            -  ib. 

TRADE, 107 

Engagements  to  be  within  our  means  and  strictly  ful- 
filled,              108 

Hazardous  enterprises  to  be  avoided,         -            -  ib- 

Accounts  to  be  accurately  kept,  and  if  a  failure  be  ap- 
prehended, creditors  are  to  be  informed,         -         -  109 

Such  as  run  into  embarrassment  to  be  treated  with 

by  preparative  and  monthly  meetings,          -            -  Of. 

Assignees  or  trustees  to  be  enquired  of,            -            -  ib. 

Debtors  acquiring  sufficiency,  to  discharge  their  debts, 

and  refusing  so  to  do,  are  to  be  disowned,         -         -  110 

See  the  same  case  under  Law,             -               -          -  42 

Defrauding  the  government,  cautioned  against,         -  110 

Mere  paper  credit  inconsistent  with  truth,         -         -  111 

Joint  securities  cautioned  against,          -         .         -  ib. 

See  queries,  6th  and  7th,  -  -        -  -     91 

See  war,                 _             ,             .             -             -  115 
WAGERING— 

See  gaming,                 -             -             -             «             -  40 

WAR, 113 

Exhortation  to  maintain  this  testimony,            -    .        -  ib. 

Overplus  of  distraints  not  to  be  received  unless  in  the 

same  goods,              -             -             -              -           -  ib. 

Furnishing  waggons,  a  military  service,             -  114 

Taxes  for  drums  &c.  not  to  be  paid,            -            -  ib. 

Viewing  military  operations  or  joining  with  party  spirit 

advised  against,             -             -             -          -         -  ib. 

Business  connected  with  war  to  be  avoided,         -         -  115 

Payment  of  fines,  arming  vessels,  and  dealing  in  certi- 
ficates issued  for  the  purpose  of  war,  testified  against  ib. 

Fine  or  tax  levied  on  account  of  militia  laws,  not  to  be 

paid,  however  applied,             -              -            -  116 

See  query  6th,                    .            -            .             .  91 

WILLS, 117 

See  queries,                  -            -            -            -            -  93 

WOMEN'S  MEETINGS,            ^            ...  119 


INDEX. 

Care  of  the  poor,        -            -           -           -           -  ib. 

Proposals  of  marriage,         .            -            -            .  120 

Treatment  with  offenders,         -            -            -            -  ib. 

Admission  or  reinstatement  into  membership,         -  ib. 

Certificates, -  121 

Mode  of  signing.     See  certificates,         -        -            -  14 

Concerns  of  ministers, 121 

Appointment  of  elders, 122 

Service  of  preparative  meetings,             -            >            -  ib. 

Their  quarterly  meetings,         -         -            -            -  ib. 

Certificates  for  ministers  and  their  concerns,         -        -  123 

Representatives,             -          -          -        -        -        -  ib. 

Their  yearly  meeting, 124 

Stock, ib. 

WORSHIP  of  those  not  in  communion  with  us,          -          .  9 

See  burials,              .             -            .            .            .  ib. 

YEARLY  MEETING, 125 

Account  of  its  first  establishment  to  the  present  time,  ib. 

'          Committeee  on  epistles,            -            .            .          ,  ib. 

Letters  or  papers  to  be  examined,            -            -  126 

Extracts,  to  go  to  the  subordinate  meetings,            -  ib. 

Certificates  of  Friends  attending  the  meeting,         -  ib. 

YOUTH— 

See  Parents  and  children,  -  n  .       81  to  83 


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